Researchers have developed a potential therapy using ADSCs for promoting blood vessel growth and revascularization in patients with critical limb ischemia.
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‘Using adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), researchers have succeeded in promoting blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) and revascularization in laboratory animals modeled with subacute critical limb ischemia.’
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Study co-author Dr. Vaclav Prochazak of the University Hospital Ostrava, said, "Recognition that the functional component of adult stem cells can be attributed to secreted factors led us to explore the therapeutic benefit of delivering these factors. The purpose of our study was to test the efficacy of a single intramuscular administration of human TFC using laboratory animals modeled with subacute CLI." 
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27 adult rabbits were surgically modeled with CLI and five additional used as controls. The CLI rabbits received either placebo, low dose TFC, or high dose TFC by injection into their left hind legs. One week after surgery, limb perfusion was tested using a Doppler probe and blood samples were analyzed for growth factors and cytokines.
A tissue assessment of the CLI-modeled animals after 35 days revealed that the tissue reperfusion in the high dose group was double that of the placebo group. The authors wrote, "Our results demonstrate that TFC represents a potent therapeutic combination for patients with CLI, many of whom are at-risk for amputation of their affected limb. We envision having an off-the-shelf product that would be immediately available for administration with little preparation and that would improve quality of life and reduce morbidity, such as amputation, for a significant patient population."
Their study will be published in Cell Transplantation.
The researchers are currently planning a clinical trial with patients who are not candidates for conventional revascularization.
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Source-Eurekalert