Objectives: To compare muscle-derived cells (MDCs) and fibroblasts with regard to their potential for restoration of urethral function on injection in a previously established animal model of stress urinary incontinence.
Methods: The animals were divided into four (dosage) or five (cell concentration) experimental groups: normal, nontreated controls (normal group) or bilateral sciatic nerve transection with either periurethral injection of saline (saline group), MDCs (MDC group), fibroblasts (fibroblast group), or MDC/fibroblast mixture (mixed group). At 4 weeks after injection, the leak point pressure (LPP) was measured and contractility testing and histologic analysis were performed.