Embryonic Stem Cell for Tympanic Healing

Stockholm, Sweden -

Otitis media (ear infection) occurs in many young children and sometimes results in perforation of the tympanic membrane. Although surgical treatments are available for perforated membranes, these are quite painful.

In a recent study embryonic stem cells were used to accelerate healing of experimentally damaged tympanic membranes (Rahman et al. Healing time, long-term result and effects of stem cell treatment in acute tympanic membrane perforation. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2007 May 11).

Lasers were used to induce artificial tympanic perforations in rats. Embryonic stem cells or control cells were added to the area of injury. It was observed that rats recieving embryonic stem cells had a significantly thickened lamina propria in comparison to controls. Additionally, no teratoma was observed. These data suggest that embryonic stem cell therapy is feasible, although acceleration of healing was not observed.