The efficacy of adipose-derived stem cells in burn injuries: a systematic review

Abstract Background Burn injuries can be associated with prolonged healing, infection, a substantial inflammatory response, extensive scarring, and eventually death. In recent decades, both the mortality rates and long-term survival of severe burn victims have improved significantly, and burn care research has increasingly focused on a better quality of life post-trauma. However, delayed healing, infection, pain and extensive scar formation remain a major challenge in the treatment of burns. ADSCs, a distinct type of mesenchymal stem cells, have been shown to improve the healing process. The aim of this review is to evaluate the efficacy of ADSCs in the treatment of burn injuries. Methods A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science and Embase. The basic research question was formulated with the PICO framework, whereby the usage of ADSCs in the treatment of burns in vivo was determined as the fundamental inclusion criterion. Additionally, pertinent journals focusing on burns and their treatment were screened manually for eligible studies. The review was registered in PROSPERO and reported according to the PRISMA statement. Results Of the 599 publications screened, 21 were considered relevant to the key question and were included in the present review. The included studies were almost all conducted on rodents, with one exception, where pigs were investigated. 13 of the studies examined the treatment of full-thickness and eight of deep partial-thickness burn injuries. 57,1 percent of the relevant studies have demonstrated that ADSCs exhibit immunomodulatory effects during the inflammatory response. 16 studies have shown improved neovascularisation with the use of ADSCs. 14 studies report positive influences of ADSCs on granulation tissue formation, while 11 studies highlight their efficacy in promoting re-epithelialisation. 11 trials demonstrated an improvement in outcomes during the remodelling phase. Conclusion In conclusion, it appears that adipose-derived stem cells demonstrate remarkable efficacy in the field of regenerative medicine. However, the usage of ADSCs in the treatment of burns is still at an early experimental stage, and further investigations are required in order to examine the potential usage of ADSCs in future clinical burn care.