OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of the adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) on the survival of random pattern skin flap in rabbits.

METHODSADSCs were isolated from fresh human fat and expanded in vitro for five passages. Then the characterization of ADSCs were determined by their CD marker profile and their ability to differentiate into osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic lineages. On the back of the rabbits, two symmetric cephalic-based random pattern skin flaps were designed (6 cm x 2 cm). The right flaps were used as experimental groups with the contra-side flaps as control group. Human ADSCs were pre-labeled before seeding with fluorescent 3, 30-dioctadecyloxacarbocyanine perchlorate (DiO) dye. The experimental flaps evenly received 5-point injection of 2 x 10(6)Dio-labeled ADSCs resuspended in 0.5 ml of serum-free DMEM, while only 0.5 ml medium was injected into the control flaps. Seven days later, the survival rate of flaps was evaluated. The flaps underwent frozen section and were observed under the laser scanning confocal microscope to detect the fluorescence imaging. Flaps also underwent HE staining and were observed under light microscope to detect the vascular density.

RESULTSCompared with control group, there was a significant increase of flap survival rate in the experimental group (P < 0.01). Histological analysis also demonstrated a statistically significant increase in capillary density in the experimental group.

CONCLUSIONSIt suggests that ADSCs have a better immune compatibility and potential for enhancing the blood supply of random pattern skin flaps.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Male ; Rabbits ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply

Objective To explore the changes in the serum periostin (PN) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the clinical significance.Methods The serum samples from 53 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) as case group and 50 healthy subjects as control group were collected and compared in this study.And the DM patients included 15 patients with DM without fundus lesions (DM group),18 patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR,NPDR group) and 20 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR,PDR group).The serum levels of PN and VEGF were analyzed by ELISA assay,and the correlation of DR with serum PN and VEGF levels was evaluated.Results The differences in serum PN and VEGF between the case group and control group were statistically significant (both P ＜ 0.05).And there were significant difference in PN and VEGF levels among the DM group,NPDR group,PDR group and control group (all P ＜ 0.05).Meanwhile,there was no significant difference in serum PN between the DM group and NPDR group (P ＞ 0.05),but there were statistically significant differences among the other groups (all P ＜ 0.05).There were statistically significant differences in serum VEGF among the four groups (all P ＜ 0.05).And finally,positive correlations were found between PN and VEGF in the NPDR group and PDR group (r =0.483,0.509,both P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion PN and VEGF play an active role in the initiation and development of DR,and they have a close correlation with the neovascularization and fibrovascular membrane of the advanced stage of DR.