OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of local and intravenous transplantation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in promoting soft tissue wound healing in rats.

METHODSADSCs isolated from the adipose tissues of SD rats were cultured in vitro, and the third-passage cells were identified for their capacity of multipotent differentiation. Eighteen SD rats with 1.8 cm² dorsal full-thickness soft tissue defects (0.5 cm deep) were randomized into 3 groups to receive injection of 3.0×10⁶ DiI-labeled ADSCs via the tail vein, local injection of the cells at the wound site, or injection of saline (control). The wound healing was evaluated on days 3, 7, 11, and 14 postoperatively. On day 24 after the injury, tissue samples at the wound site were collected for fluorescent microscopy and HE staining.

RESULTSThe ADSCs obtained were capable of adipogenic, osteogenic, and neurogenic differentiation in vitro. ADSCs transplantation significantly promoted wound healing as compared to the control group. Obvious wound contracture was observed in the local injection group on day 3 and in the intravenous injection group on day 7. Fluorescence microscopy revealed DiI-positive cells in the healing wound, and HE staining showed a greater tissue thickness at the wound in the two ADSCs transplantation groups. Compared to the control group, the two ADSCs transplantation groups showed more gland-like structures and better neovascularization at the wound.

CONCLUSIONADSCs can significantly promote wound healing in rats, and local injection of ADSCs allows more rapid and obvious wound healing than tail veil injection of the stem cells.