ORIGINAL ARTICLE SUCCESSFUL MYOBLAST TRANSPLANTATION IN RAT TONGUE RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract: Background. Controversy exists regarding the success of myoblast transplantation. The purpose of this study was to determine the survival of transplanted myoblasts in a rat tongue reconstruction model by using fluorescently labeled myoblasts and surgical stains to mark the location of the poc-ket into which transplanted cells were delivered. We evaluated tongue histology after myoblast transplantation under the hy-pothesis that myoblast transplantation will promote muscle regeneration and result in minimal scar tissue formation. Methods. Sterile solutions of 1:10 India ink, 1 % methylene blue, and 1 % crystal violet were applied to the inner lining of a left-sided mucosa-sparing hemiglossectomy pocket. After air-drying, the hemiglossectomy defect was filled with collagen gel and closed. The tongues were evaluated histologically at 6 weeks. Next, myoblasts were cultured and labeled with thre