Int J Stem Cells.  2013 Nov;6(2):121-128.

Experimental Study on the Effect of Intravenous Stem Cell Therapy on Intestinal Ischemia Reperfusion Induced Myocardial Injury

• Zickri MB
• Embaby A
• Metwally H

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The myocyte death that follows intestinal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major factor contributing to high mortality and morbidity in ischemic heart disease. The purpose of stem cell (SC) therapy for myocardial infarction is to improve clinical outcomes. The present study aimed at investigating the possible therapeutic effect of intravenous human cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (HCBMSCs) on intestinal ischemia reperfusion induced cardiac muscle injury in albino rat.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Thirty male albino rats were divided equally into control (Sham-operated) group, I/R group where rats were exposed to superior mesenteric artery ligation for 1 hour followed by 1 hour reperfusion. In SC therapy group, the rats were injected with HCBMSCs into the tail vein. The rats were sacrificed four weeks following therapy. Cardiac muscle sections were exposed to histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical and morphometric studies. In I/R group, multiple fibers exhibited deeply acidophilic sarcoplasm with lost striations and multiple fibroblasts appeared among the muscle fibers. In SC therapy group, few fibers appeared with deeply acidophilic sarcoplasm and lost striations. Mean area of muscle fibers with deeply acidophilic sarcoplasm and mean area% of fibroblasts were significantly decreased compared to I/R group. Prussion blue and CD105 positive cells were found in SC therapy group among the muscle fibers, inside and near blood vessels.
CONCLUSIONS
Intestinal I/R induced cardiac muscle degenerative changes. These changes were ameliorated following HCBMSC therapy. A reciprocal relation was recorded between the extent of regeneration and the existence of undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells.

Keyword

Mesenchymal stem cells; Ischemia reperfusion; Cord blood; Cardiac injury

MeSH Terms

Animals
Blood Vessels
Fetal Blood
Fibroblasts
Humans
Ischemia*
Ligation
Male
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Mesenteric Artery, Superior
Mortality
Muscle Cells
Muscles
Myocardial Infarction
Myocardial Ischemia
Myocardium
Rats
Regeneration
Reperfusion*
Stem Cells*
Veins