Effect of adipose-derived stem cells on the survival rate of long random pattern skin flap in rats, and the underlying mechanism of action

Purpose: To investigate the effect of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on the survival rate of long random pattern skin flaps in rats and the likely underlying mechanism.Methods: Twenty (20) SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into control group and study group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the control group were given phosphate buffered saline (PBS), while rats in the study group received ADSCs. The survival rate of the skin flaps was compared between the 2 groups on day 7 after operation, while the levels of indices related to oxidative stress and inflammatory response were compared on the 7th and 14th days after operation.Results: Necrosis in the study group was milder (p < 0.05). On the 7th post-operation day, the survival rate of rat skin flap in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05), but the MDA level in the study group was lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05). On the 14th day after the operation, the MDA level was decreased in the two groups (p < 0.05), with a lower MDA level in the study group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: ADSCs inhibit inflammatory response and reduces the level of oxidative stress after long random pattern skin flap transplantation in rats, thereby enhancing blood supply to the flap transplantation area and improving its survival rate. Thus, ADSCs have a potential clinical application in enhancing blood supply in skin transplantation.