In vivo evaluation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) using Nanofat technique and chitosan conduit for peripheral nerve defect repair

Nerve autograft is the gold standard for reconstruction of peripheral nerve loss. The alternative is the interposition of a synthetic regeneration conduit. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the in vivo feasibility and interest of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) using the Nanofat technique and chitosan conduit for peripheral nerve defect repair. In vivo, after the creation of a 10 mm defect of the sciatic nerve, 2 groups were defined according to the nerve repair in rats: “chitosan” group (n = 10) and “chitosan and ADSCs” group (n = 10) with a clinical and paraclinical evaluation at 7 weeks. The in vivo results seem to show that the adjunction of ADSCs was favorable clinically, histologically and functionally compare to a chitosan reconstruction alone. Peripheral nerve repair with defect using a chitosan conduit associated with ADSCs would constitute a surgical alternative in a single surgical step.