Muscle progenitor cells for the restoration of irreversibly damaged sphincter function: A pre-clinical study

METHODS: A model of urinary sphincter insufficiency was created by microsurgically excising approximately 80% of the sphincter muscle in 26 dogs. Autologous progenitor muscle cells were grown and expanded in culture. Sphincter function was assessed by urodynamic studies on normal and damaged sphincters. The culture expanded muscle progenitor cells were injected into the damaged sphincter muscle of 12 animals. The animals were followed and urodynamic studies, functional organ bath studies, and ultrastructural and histologic examinations were performed.