BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether adipose-derived stem cells could contribute to skeletal muscle-healing.

METHODS: Adipose-derived stem cells of male rats were cultured and injected into the soleus muscles of female rats. Two and four weeks after injections, muscles were tested for tetanic force (50 Hz). Histological analysis was performed to evaluate muscle collagen deposition and the number of centronucleated muscle fibers. In order to track donor cells, chimerism was detected with use of real-time polymerase chain reaction targeting the male sex-determining region Y (SRY) gene.

RESULTS: Two weeks after cell injection, tetanus strength and the number of centronucleated regenerating myofibers, as well as the number of centronucleated regenerating myofibers, were higher in the treated group than they were in the control group (mean and standard error of the mean, 79.2 ± 5.0% versus 58.3 ± 8.1%, respectively [p < 0.05]; and 145 ± 36 versus 273 ± 18 per 103 myofibers, respectively [p < 0.05]). However, there were no significant differences at four weeks. Treatment did not decrease collagen deposition. Male gene was not detected in female host tissue at two and four weeks after engraftment by polymerase chain reaction analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: Adipose-derived stem-cell therapy increased muscle repair and force at two weeks, but not four weeks, after injection, suggesting that adipose-derived stem-cell administration may accelerate muscle repair; however, the rapid disappearance of injected cells suggests a paracrine mechanism of action.