在一项新的研究中，为了寻找缓解SUI的更好方法，研究人员利用模拟分娩损伤的实验室雌性大鼠模式动物开展研究：他们让这些大鼠接受间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells，MSCs)注射以便观察间充质干细胞是否能够归巢和是否有助修复受损的骨盆器官。相关研究结果于2013年7月17日发表在美国权威学术期刊《Cell Transplantation 细胞移植》上。

    新的研究证实移植的间充质干细胞归巢到大鼠的脾脏中。这说明这些移植的间充质干细胞可能通过释放营养因子并产生有益影响。一组模拟分娩损伤的雌性大鼠接受治疗后的结果证实间充质干细胞归巢到尿道和阴道，从而促进控尿恢复。

    研究人员注意到其他来源的其他干细胞类型也可被用于来治疗SUI的研究中。在模式动物和临床试验中，肌肉来源的自体干细胞已表现出治疗SUI的潜力。脂肪组织来源的干细胞也被用来改善模拟分娩损伤的大鼠的尿道功能。

    论文通信作者Margot S. Damaser博士说，“基于干细胞的疗法最近作为一种治疗SUI的大有希望的方法引起人们关注。干细胞疗法可能比当前的其他疗法更加可行和更没有侵袭性。”

    相信，在不久的将来，科学家可以实现利用干细胞疗法来治愈女性的分娩损伤，从而大大减少女性在分娩过程中所产生的痛苦。

    推荐原文阅读：

    Cell Transplant. 2013 Jul 17. [Epub ahead of print]

    Rat mesenchymal stem cell secretome promotes elastogenesis and facilitates recovery from simulated childbirth injury.

    Dissaranan C, Cruz MA, Kiedrowski MJ, Balog BM, Gill BC, Penn MS, Goldman HB, Damaser MS.

    Abstract

    PURPOSE:Vaginal delivery is a risk factor for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) home to injured organs and can facilitate repair. The goal of this study was to determine if MSCs home to pelvic organs after simulated childbirth injury and facilitate recovery from SUI via paracrine factors.MATERIALS and METHODS: Three experiments were performed. Eighteen female rats received vaginal distension (VD) or sham VD and labeled intravenous (IV) MSCs to investigate if MSCs home to pelvic organs. Whole-organ imaging and immunofluorescence were performed 1 week later. Thirty-four female rats received VD and IV MSCs, VD and IV saline, or sham VD and IV saline to investigate if MSCs accelerate recovery of continence. Twenty-nine female rats received VD and periurethral concentrated conditioned media (CCM), VD and periurethral control media, or sham VD and periurethral control media to investigate if factors secreted by MSCs accelerate recovery from VD. Urethral histology and function were assessed 1 week later.RESULTS: Significantly more MSCs were observed in the urethra, vagina, and spleen after VD compared to sham VD. Continence as measured by leak point pressure (LPP), was significantly reduced after VD in rats treated with saline or control media compared to sham VD but not in those given MSCs or CCM. External urethral sphincter function as measured by electromyography (EMG), was not improved with MSCs or CCM. Rats treated with MSCs or CCM demonstrated an increase in elastin fibers near the EUS and urethral smooth muscle more similar to that of sham injured animals than rats treated with saline or control media.CONCLUSIONS: MSCs home to the urethra and vagina and facilitate recovery of continence most likely via secretion of paracrine factors. Both MSCs and CCM have promise as novel noninvasive therapies for SUI.