The Effectiveness of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mixed with Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Healing of Inflammatory Bowel Anastomoses: A Pre-Clinical Study in Rats

Introduction: Multiple factors have been linked with increased risk of anastomotic leak in bowel surgery, including infections, inflammatory bowel disease, patient comorbidities and poor surgical technique. The aim of this study was to investigate the positive effect, if any, of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) mixed with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the healing of bowel anastomoses, in an inflammatory environment after establishment of experimental colitis. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of seven animals: normal controls, colitis controls, PRP, MSCs, and PRP+MSCs. All groups underwent laparotomy, one-cm segmental colectomy and anastomosis in situ. In the colitis group, colectomy was performed at the affected area. Colitis was previously established by transrectal administration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) except for the normal controls. Post-mortem histopathological, tissue hydroxyproline and anastomotic bursting pressure (ABP) assessments were performed. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess statistical significance differences between groups. Results: No perioperative mortality was noted. Tissue hydroxyproline and ABP were significantly increased in the group of PRP+MSCs compared to colitis controls (p = 0.0151 and p = 0.0104, respectively). Inflammatory cell infiltration was lower and fibroblast activity higher in PRP+MSCs group, but not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Neoangiogenesis (p = 0.0073) and anastomotic area epithelialization (p = 0.0182) were significantly higher in PRP + MSCs group compared to colitis controls. Discussion: The synergistic effect of the PRP and MSCs is apparently responsible for the improved healing markers in bowel anastomoses even on inflammatory bowel. This gives hope for primary anastomoses and stoma saving in many emergency and/or elective circumstances, especially in immunocompromised or malnourished patients, even in cases with inflammation or peritonitis. Clinical studies should follow in order to support the clinical application of PRP+MSCs in gastrointestinal anastomoses.