Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2021, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (1): 152-158.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2134

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Therapeutic effect of stem cells in chronic temporal lobe epilepsy: a systematic review of animal studies

Liu Yali1, Wang Huan2, 3, 4, Yan Qiong2, 3, 4, Wang Gang1, Hou Boru1, Wang Dengfeng1, Ma Bin2, 3, Ren Haijun1   

  1. 1Department of Neurosurgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China; 2Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China; 3Key Laboratory of Evidence-Based Medicine and Knowledge Translation of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China; 4The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China
  • Received:2019-11-21 Revised:2019-11-23 Accepted:2020-02-19 Online:2021-01-08 Published:2020-11-20
  • Contact: Ren Haijun, Chief physician, Department of Neurosurgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China
  • About author:Liu Yali, Physician, Department of Neurosurgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China Wang Huan, Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China; Key Laboratory of Evidence-Based Medicine and Knowledge Translation of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China; The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China Yan Qiong, Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China; Key Laboratory of Evidence-Based Medicine and Knowledge Translation of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China; The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81873184

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Stem cell therapy has emerged as a novel treatment for chronic temporal lobe epilepsy that has been widely used in various animal models of epilepsy. However, there is yet no consensus in the therapeutic effect in existing experimental studies.  
OBJECTIVE: To systemically evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of stem cell therapy in animal models of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy, providing experimental evidence and new ideas for further clinical trials. 
METHODS:  A systematic search of CNKI, WanFang, PubMed, Embase and Web of Science was performed for animal studies related to stem cell therapy for chronic temporal lobe epilepsy published from inception to May 2018. Two reviewers independently extracted data, assessed methodological quality and evaluated evidence quality by using CERQual tool.   
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Eight animal studies were eligible for inclusion, including 284 animals suffering chronic temporal lobe epilepsy. Between-study heterogeneity was substantial, so a qualitative description was performed. Stem cell therapy has some improvement in the seizure frequency and duration of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy in animals, which can promote the recovery from epilepsy in most animals. Other outcomes include memory and learning, stem cell migration, differentiation and integration. The exact efficacy of stem cells cannot be determined due to the lack of rigor, characterization, and evidence quality. We therefore do not have absolute confidence to recommend the clinical use of stem cell therapy for chronic temporal lobe epilepsy. Thus, it is necessary to conduct high-quality preclinical studies to further evaluate the efficacy of stem cell transplantation for chronic temporal lobe epilepsy and its clinical conversion risk before implementation of clinical trials.

Key words: stem cells, brain, temporal lobe, epilepsy, animals, experiment, systematic review, meta-analysis

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