Pork bladder helps muscle regeneration
Conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and the McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine, working under the guidance of Professor Stephen F. Badylak, surgical implantation of the extracellular matrix of the porcine bladder provided strengthening and partial regeneration of injured leg muscles in three out of five patients.
With the loss of significant fragments of muscle tissue (as a rule, as a result of injury), the body is not able to provide effective regeneration of damage. Instead, scar tissue is formed, which significantly reduces the strength and functionality of the damaged muscles.
Extracellular matrix secreted from the bladder of pigs has been used for many years as the basis of medical products designed to eliminate hernias and treat skin ulcers. It is a biological framework remaining from the tissue after the removal of cells. Earlier studies conducted by Professor Badylyak's group demonstrated the ability of the extracellular matrix to stimulate the regeneration of damaged muscle tissue. To do this, the material was placed in the damage zone, which triggered the processes of attracting stem cells and progenitor cells necessary for the formation of new healthy tissue. The results of the authors' latest work, which is currently ongoing and attracting new participants, indicate the great potential of this therapeutic approach.
To date, 5 men have participated in the clinical study who have lost at least 25% of the volume and functionality of the leg muscles compared to the uninjured limb. At least 6 months should have elapsed between injury and inclusion in the study. All participants underwent a course of physiotherapy lasting 12-26 weeks, conducted according to individually developed protocols and completed at least 2 weeks after the indicators of the functionality and strength of the damaged muscles reached a plateau.
After that, an implant consisting of layers of extracellular matrix compressed in such a way as to ensure filling of the defect of muscle tissue was surgically inserted into the area of damage. Within two days after the end of the operation, patients resumed physical therapy sessions that lasted 26 weeks.
As a result, three out of five patients (two of them had damaged thigh muscles and one had a lower leg muscle) had an increase in the strength of the damaged muscle by 20% or more 6 months after the operation. In one of the patients with a hip injury, the results of the test for jumping on one leg improved by almost 20 times, while the other demonstrated an improvement in the results of the test for the ability to rise from a chair by 4.5 times and the test for squatting on one leg by more than 5 times. The results of the biopsy and scanning of the damaged areas indicated the formation of new muscle tissue in the damaged area.
Two patients with lower leg injuries did not show such marked progress, however, each of them demonstrated an improvement in at least one functional indicator and noted an improvement in well-being.
The authors believe that the work they have done is an important step towards the emergence of effective methods for restoring damaged tissues and improving their functionality using natural materials.
Article by Brian M. Sicari et al. An Acellular Biologic Scaffold Promotes Skeletal Muscle Formation in Mice and Humans with Volumetric Muscle Loss is published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the University of Pittsburgh:
Regenerative Medicine Improves Muscle Strength and Function in Leg Injuries, Pitt Study Shows.
14.005.2014