Abstract
In nerve regeneration studies, various animal models are used to assess nerve regeneration. However, because of the difficulties in functional nerve assessment, a visceral nerve injury model is yet to be established. The superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) plays an essential role in swallowing. Although a treatment for SLN injury following trauma and surgery is desirable, no such treatment is reported in the literature. We recently reported that stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) have a therapeutic effect on various tissues via macrophage polarization. Here, we established a novel animal model of SLN injury. Our model was characterized as having weight loss and drinking behavior changes. In addition, the SLN lesion caused a delay in the onset of the swallowing reflex and gain of laryngeal residue in the pharynx. Systemic administration of SHED-conditioned media (SHED-CM) promoted functional recovery of the SLN and significantly promoted axonal regeneration by converting of macrophages to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. In addition, SHED-CM enhanced new blood vessel formation at the injury site. Our data suggest that the administration of SHED-CM may provide therapeutic benefits for SLN injury.
Highlights
Peripheral nerve injury following trauma and surgery is a severe clinical problem that results in potential long-term disability and a reduction in the patient’s quality of life
Systemic delivery of the Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs)-conditioned media (SHED-conditioned medium (CM)) resulted in significantly less weight loss compared to the Dulbecco’s Modified Eagles’ Medium (DMEM (-)) group
Systemic delivery of SHED-CM significantly reduced the number of interruptions, and increased the lick rate and water intake compared with the DMEM (-) group
Summary
Peripheral nerve injury following trauma and surgery is a severe clinical problem that results in potential long-term disability and a reduction in the patient’s quality of life. In peripheral nerve regeneration studies, the sciatic, facial, femoral and median nerves in rodents and other larger animals are widely used to assess nerve regeneration [1]. Nervespecific evaluation following several types of nerve injury is necessary, but there are no previous reports on visceral nerve regeneration. An animal model of visceral nerve lesion has not been established owing to difficulties in assessing quantitative nerve function. The SLN is a visceral sensory nerve that supplies the pharyngeal and supraglottic mucosa [3]. Injury to the SLN during surgery, such as neck dissection, thyroidectomy, anterior approaches to the cervical spine, or carotid endarterectomy, causes dysphagia
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