Induced Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells into Neuron-Like Cells to Promote Regeneration after Sciatic Nerve Injury

In this study, sixteen healthy adult rats were used to evaluate the effects of inducing differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AD-MSCs) into neuron-like cells on sciatic nerve regeneration.All rats that underwent left axonotmesis (crush) injury were subjected to compression with hemostatic forceps for 60 seconds under aseptic conditions and general anesthesia.The animals were randomly divided into two groups.In the control group, 10 mL of PBS buffer was administered perineurally to treat the defect.In the MSC-treated group, 5 × 10⁶ AD-MSCs in suspension were transplanted perineurally using a Hamilton microsyringe.Immunophenotypic analysis showed that the MSCs were negative for the hematopoietic marker CD34 but positive for the mesenchymal stem cell marker CD90, confirming their mesenchymal identity.By day 8 post-induction, the cells exhibited neural-like morphology characterized by cell body shrinkage, elongated bipolar or multipolar projections, and, in some cases, pyramidal-shaped neuronal forms.Histopathological evaluation at day 112 revealed that the MSC-treated group displayed active Schwann cells, robust myelination, minimal scar tissue formation, proper axonal orientation, and notable angiogenesis.In contrast, the saline-treated group exhibited vacuolation at the injury site, excessive collagen deposition in the peri-and epineurium, and moderate adhesions around the anastomosed region.These findings demonstrate the strong differentiation capacity of locally implanted AD-MSCs and their potential to promote nerve regeneration and functional recovery following sciatic nerve injury.