Vitamin C improves therapeutic effects of adipose-derived stem cell transplantation in mouse tendonitis model

Abstract

Background/Aim: We hypothesized that combined therapy using adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and Vitamin C might improve tendon regeneration in tendonitis. To determine combined effects of ASC transplantation with Vitamin C, we used senescence marker protein 30 (SMP30)-knockout (KO) mice that cannot biosynthesize Vitamin C by themselves. Materials and Methods: SMP30-KO were divided into four groups: Control, Vitamin C, ASCs, and Vitamin C plus ASCs. Tendonitis was induced in the achilles tendons via injection of collagenase type I. After 1 week, ASCs were injected into the intratendonal region. After 30 days, all mice were sacrificed and Achilles tendons were isolated. Results: Gross and microscopic findings showed mice treated with combination of ASC transplantation and Vitamin C showed better tendon regeneration than those in other groups. This combination led to higher serum Vitamin C levels than use of Vitamin C alone. This indicates that the Vitamin C-treated group used more Vitamin C as a precursor to collagen synthesis, whereas Vitamin C was in excess in the combination group because of the added effect of ASCs on tendon healing. Conclusion: This study showed that Vitamin C improved the effect of ASC transplantation on tendonitis by inducing a better stem cell niche.