Effects of human adipose-derived stem cells on the viability of rabbit random pattern flaps

Abstract Background aims Flap necrosis is the most commonly encountered outcome influencing the effect of operations in clinical practice. The advent of cytotherapy and regenerative medicine with stem cells, especially adipose-derived stem cell therapy, appears to be a promising approach in providing multi-lineage differentiating cells. However, autologous stem cells are limited in both quantity and quality in aging individuals. Hence, xenogenic stem cell therapy was used in this study. Methods Random pattern flaps (6 cm × 2 cm) were prepared in a rabbit model transplanted either with 4 × 105 human adipose-derived stem cells at five sites or equal volumes of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. At 7 days after operation, the viability of the flaps from both groups was evaluated. We determined the numbers of locally infiltrating T cells, whereas the CD4/CD8 ratio, interferon, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and IL-10 in the serum were determined to evaluate the immunological response of the rabbit. Moreover, Dil labeling was administrated to trace the homing of the transplanted stem cells. Results Both the survival areas and the capillary number of the flaps that were injected with human adipose-derived stem cells significantly increased as compared with the control group ( P < 0.05). Additionally, no significant difference in the immune response was detected between the groups. Dil-labeled stem cells were found to participate in the formation of tubular structures, which were further shown to be CD31+, although not predominantly. Conclusions Human adipose-derived stem cells could be used therapeutically to improve the viability of random pattern flaps without detection of serious immune rejection of stem cells.