Cell Transplants for Better Incontinence Therapy

An animal study has shown that muscle-derived cell (MDC) transplants are a safer, more effective, and longer-lasting treatment for urinary incontinence than existing therapies. The study was presented at the annual meeting of the American Urologic Association in Orlando (FL, USA).

In the study, researchers obtained a mixed population of MDCs from a mouse skeletal muscle biopsy. The cells were purified to obtain a purely myogenic population, and then one cell was genetically engineered and cloned to form a large population. These cells were injected into the bladder walls of mice, which were evaluated at one, four, and eight weeks and at six months. The evaluation showed the presence of myofibers throughout the smooth muscle layer, which did not significantly decrease over time. Some myofibers expressed smooth muscle actin, suggesting differentiation. The presence of neuromuscular junctions was also observed. The researchers say this therapy gives the bladder muscles the ability to fix themselves by generating new muscle.

"Although collagen injections give good short-term results and are less-invasive than surgery, there is a possibility of the collagen being reabsorbed or causing allergic reactions,” said Dr. Ryan J. Pruchnic, of the departments of urology and orthopedic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (PA, USA) and lead author of the study.




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Univ. of Pittsburgh School of Medicine