Improved Healing of Colonic Anastomosis with Allotransplantation of Axillary Skin Fibroblasts in Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

2 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

3 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

4 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

5 Experimental and Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

Abstract

Objective: Colonic anastomosis is associated with serious complications leading to significant morbidity and mortality. 
Fibroblasts have recently been introduced as a practical alternative to stem cells because of their differentiation 
capacity, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intramural 
injection of fibroblasts on the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats. 
Materials and Methods: Inbred mature male Wistar rats were used in this experimental study (n=36). Fibroblasts were 
isolated from the axillary skin of a donor rat. In the sham group, manipulation on descending colon was done during 
laparotomy. A 5 mm segment of the colon was resected, and end-to-end anastomosis was performed. In the control 
group, 0.5 ml of phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was injected into the colonic wall and in the treatment group, 1×106 
fibroblasts were transplanted. Following euthanasia on day 7, intra-abdominal adhesion, leakage and peritonitis were 
evaluated by necropsy. Mechanical properties were assessed using bursting pressure and tensile tests. Inflammation, 
angiogenesis, and collagen deposition were examined histopathologically.
Results: The mean scores for adhesion and leakage were decreased in the treatment group versus control samples. 
Lower infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed in the treatment group (P=0.03). Angiogenesis and collagen 
deposition scores were significantly increased in the fibroblast transplanted group (P=0.03). Tensile mechanical 
properties of the colon were significantly increased in the treatment group compared to the control sample (P=0.01). 
There was no significant difference between the control and treatment groups in terms of bursting pressure (P=0.10). 
Positive weight changes were found in sham and treatment groups, but the control rats lost weight after 7 days. 
Conclusion: The results suggested that allotransplantation of dermal fibroblasts could improve the necroscopic,  histopathological, and biomechanical indices of colonic anastomosis repair in rats.

Keywords


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