Comparative Evaluation of Decellularized Human Amniotic Membrane and Wharton's Jelly in a Rat Model of Myocardial Infarction: Experimental Study.

Background/

Objectives

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains a major cause of global morbidity and mortality and is a leading factor in the development of heart failure. This study investigated the regenerative potential of decellularized human amniotic membrane (HAM) and Wharton's jelly (WJ) in a rat model of left ventricular dysfunction induced by acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods

Twenty-three rats underwent left anterior descending coronary artery ligation and were randomized into three groups: control (saline), WJ (decellularized WJ), and HAM (decellularized HAM).

Results

After 30 days, echocardiographic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical assessments were performed. No significant differences in ventricular function were observed among groups. However, the HAM-treated group showed a significant reduction in myocardial fibrosis compared with the control (p = 0.009), suggesting attenuation of post-infarction remodeling. Despite the absence of measurable functional recovery, HAM demonstrated potential to promote more favorable tissue organization. Study limitations include the lack of a sham-operated group, short follow-up period, and absence of quantitative decellularization validation.

Conclusions

Overall, the results indicate that decellularized HAM may act as a structural modulator of myocardial remodeling, warranting further studies with longer follow-up and combination approaches, such as cell-based or growth factor-enhanced therapies.