Effects of mesenchymal stem cell and amnion membrane transfer on prevention of pericardial adhesions

Abstract

Abstract Background To investigate and compare the antiadhesive/antifibrotic effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and amnion membrane transfer (AMT) in a rat model. Material and methods Three experimental and sham groups were formed using 30 Wistar-Albino rats. AMT and MSC were applied to the related groups. The control group was not treated. After 12 weeks follow-up, intracardiac blood and cardiac-pericardiac tissue samples were taken. The severity of adhesions and fibrosis were scored macroscopically and microscopically with Hematoxylin/Eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-1, PDGF, FGF, VEGF and Caspase-3 levels were measured with the ELISA method. Results Severe adhesions were observed in the AMT and control groups, but no adhesion was present in the MSC group. Pericardial thickness, increased vascularity, fibrosis, and collagen accumulation were similar between control and AMT groups, but were less in Sham and MSC groups. Between MSC and AMT groups, only Caspase-3 level was different, which is an apoptosis marker. Conclusion The positive effects of MSC on adhesion, which we achieved in our study, suggest that it may prevent adhesion. AMT did not provide a positive effect. The correlation of Caspase-3 with postoperative adhesion/fibrosis should be examined in more detail.