E-Posters-10237

10237_Liang

Pdf Summary

This study aimed to investigate the impact of a regenerative extracellular matrix (ECM) bioscaffold on vaginal smooth muscle in sacrocolpopexy procedures. Female rhesus macaques underwent hysterectomy followed by sacrocolpopexy with or without graft implantation. The animals were divided into four groups: Sham (no graft implanted), Gynemesh PS (mesh only), composite (Gynemesh PS plus 2-ply MatriStem), and MatriStem alone. After 12 weeks, graft-vagina complexes were harvested and analyzed.<br /><br />The results showed that Gynemesh PS implantation induced atrophy of the vaginal muscularis, resulting in decreased sizes of smooth muscle bundles and myocytes. This was associated with reduced contractility. However, when a 2-ply MatriStem ECM bioscaffold was used in conjunction with Gynemesh PS, the negative effects on smooth muscle were attenuated.<br /><br />Furthermore, the use of 6-ply MatriStem alone resulted in smaller muscle bundles but did not negatively impact myocyte morphology or contractile proteins. Immunofluorescence labeling and Western blot detection showed that the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and smoothelin, both contractile proteins, were preserved when MatriStem was used alone or in combination with Gynemesh PS.<br /><br />In conclusion, the implantation of Gynemesh PS alone had a negative impact on vaginal smooth muscle morphology and contractile proteins. However, when a 2-ply MatriStem ECM bioscaffold was utilized, these negative effects were attenuated. The use of 6-ply MatriStem alone induced smaller muscle bundles but did not negatively affect myocyte morphology or contractile proteins. These findings suggest that MatriStem ECM bioscaffolds may have potential in improving anatomical outcomes in surgical repair of pelvic organ prolapse.

Keywords

regenerative extracellular matrix

vaginal smooth muscle

sacrocolpopexy procedures

rhesus macaques

hysterectomy

graft implantation

Gynemesh PS

MatriStem

muscle bundles

contractile proteins