Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42440119›Full record

ArticleInternational orthopaedics2026

Functional recovery effects of growth factor-stimulated mesenchymal stromal cells in a Wistar rat model of ankle sprain injury.

Quan Fu Gan, Li Zhang, Venkatesh Ramaswamy Naik, Soon Keng Cheong, Kenny Gah Leong Voon, Chye Wah Yu, Shwe Sin, Zhen Yun Siew, Sura Sreenivasulu, Jagadeesan Saravanan and 4 more

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in International orthopaedics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Quan Fu GanM. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UTAR Sungai Long Campus, UTAR, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia. ganqf@utar.edu.my.
Li ZhangM. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UTAR Sungai Long Campus, UTAR, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Venkatesh Ramaswamy NaikM. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UTAR Sungai Long Campus, UTAR, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Soon Keng CheongM. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UTAR Sungai Long Campus, UTAR, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Kenny Gah Leong VoonSchool of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Semenyih, Malaysia.
Chye Wah YuAllied Health Faculty, Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology, Bedong, Malaysia.
Shwe SinM. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UTAR Sungai Long Campus, UTAR, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Zhen Yun SiewSchool of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Semenyih, Malaysia.
Sura SreenivasuluDepartment of Anatomy, Mahsa University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Jagadeesan SaravananTaylor's University, Subang Jaya, Malaysia.
Yi Ting LimHospital PICASO, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
John Paul JudsonM. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UTAR Sungai Long Campus, UTAR, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Juita ChupriUniversiti Putra Malaysia, Seri Kembangan, Malaysia.
Pooi Pooi LeongM. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UTAR Sungai Long Campus, UTAR, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia. leongpp@utar.edu.my.

Funding

UTARRF IPSR/RMC/UTARRF/2018-C1/G01; IPSR/RMC/UTARRF/2019-C2/G01; IPSR/RMC/UTARRF/2021-C2/G01; IPSR/RMC/UTARRF/2022-C2/G01
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAnkle sprain is among the most frequent musculoskeletal injuries affecting the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). Current management emphasizes symptom relief rather than regeneration, often resulting in prolonged recovery and recurrent instability. Wharton's Jelly-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (WJ-MSCs) have emerged as promising candidates for ligament repair, particularly when primed with growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF).

methodsA two-phase study was conducted. In vitro, WJ-MSCs were stimulated with IGF-1, CTGF, or sequential IGF-1/CTGF, and assessed for MSC marker expression, collagen gene transcription, and protein secretion. In vivo, grade II ATFL sprain was surgically induced in Wistar rats (n = 36), followed by local administration of growth factor-stimulated WJ-MSCs. Functional recovery was evaluated via swelling, locomotor activity, spontaneous rearing, and gait analysis. Histological assessment of ankle joints and major organs was performed on post-operative day (POD) 28.

resultsSequential IGF-1/CTGF stimulation synergistically enhanced Col1a1 expression (~ 8.2-fold vs. control, p < 0.001) and collagen I secretion (~ 19.5 ng/mL, p < 0.01). In vivo, MSC

conclusionSequential IGF-1/CTGF stimulation significantly augments the regenerative efficacy of WJ-MSCs, promoting structural restoration and multidimensional functional recovery in ligament injury. Local administration of dual-factor-programmed WJ-MSCs represents a safe and translationally relevant strategy for enhancing ATFL healing, with potential applicability to broader orthopaedic rehabilitation.

Indexed as

Ankle InjuriesAnterior Talofibular LigamentConnective Tissue Growth FactorInsulin-like Growth Factor IMesenchymal Stromal CellsRegenerative MedicineSprains and Strains

Identifiers

PMID42440119

What Socratic holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.