Human olfactory stem cells for injured facial nerve reconstruction in a rat model

Batioglu-Karaaltin A., Karaaltin M. V., Oztel O. N., Ovali E., Sener B. M., Adatepe T., ...More

Head and Neck, vol.38, 2016 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Abstract
  • Volume: 38
  • Publication Date: 2016
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/hed.24371
  • Journal Name: Head and Neck
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Keywords: facial nerve, axonal nerve damage, olfactory mucosa, stem cells, reconstruction
  • Istanbul Gelisim University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Background The purpose of this study was to show the efficacy of olfactory stem cells for injured facial nerve reconstruction in a rat model. Methods Olfactory stem cells were isolated from the olfactory mucosa of human participants. A 2-mm excision was performed on the right facial nerve of all rats. Reconstruction was performed with a conduit in group 1 (n = 9); a conduit and phosphate-buffered saline in group 2 (n = 9); and a conduit and labeled olfactory stem cell in group 3 (n = 9). Rats were followed for whisker movements and electroneuronography (ENoG) analyses. Results The whisker-movement scores for group 3 were significantly different from other groups (p <.001). ENoG showed that the amplitude values for group 3 were significantly different from group 1 and group 2 (p =.030; p <.001). Group 3 showed marked olfactory stem cell under a fluorescence microscope. Conclusion This study suggests that olfactory stem cells may be used as a potent cellular therapy for accelerating the regeneration of peripheral nerve injuries.