Augmentation of peripheral nerve regeneration by hypoxic allogenic Schwann-like cells and secretome in acute nerve injury of Rattus norvegicus

Abstract Background This study evaluated whether hypoxia-conditoned allogeneic Schwann-like cells (SLCs) or their secretome augment peripheral nerve regeneration after acute sciatic nerve injury in rats by assessing biologic and functional outcomes. Methods In this in-vivo experiment, Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) underwent sciatic nerve transection and repair and were assigned to control (suture only), hypoxic allogeneic SLC, or hypoxic SLC-secretome groups. SLCs were generated from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells using the Kingham protocol with 10% platelet-rich plasma and 1% hypoxic preconditioning. HIF-1α was evaluated by immunohistochemistry; TGF-β and VEGF by ELISA; CD-31, NCAM, α-SMA, and NeuN by qRT-PCR at weeks 3 and 6; and motor recovery by sciatic function index (SFI) from weeks 0–6. Results HIF-1α staining was stronger in both intervention groups than in controls and was more prominent at week 6 than week 3. At week 3, three-group differences were significant for TGF-β ( p =0.002), α-SMA ( p <0.001), CD-31 ( p =0.003), NCAM ( p <0.001), and NeuN ( p =0.050), but not VEGF ( p =0.235). At week 6, TGF-β, α-SMA, CD-31, NCAM, and NeuN all differed significantly (all p <0.001), whereas VEGF remained non-significant ( p =0.323). From week 2 to week 6, SFI differed significantly among groups (all p ≤0.001), with both interventions outperforming control; the secretome group showed the strongest recovery trend. Conclusion In this acute rat PNI model, hypoxic-conditioned allogeneic SLCs and their secretome were associated with improved motor recovery (higher SFI) and a biomarker profile consistent with a more supportive repair environment (higher TGF-β, HIF-1α/NCAM/CD-31; lower α-SMA) versus suturing alone. These findings are associative and do not establish causality.