The Tale of Two Challanges: Stem Cells and Diabetic Vasculopathy

Abstract

Background Diabetes is a metabolic disorder highly linked to several systemic complications. Diabetic patients largely suffer from hyperglycemia-induced macro- and micro-vascular abnormalities. Accumulating data have suggested a beneficial role of endothelial progenitor cells in diabetic microvascular diseases. Objective We evaluated the possible therapeutic effect of injecting transformed human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on cardiovascular and renal functions in old diabetic rats. Methods Thirty old (18-14 months) male Wistar albino rats weighing 300-350g were used in the present study. Diabetes was induced by intra-peritoneal streptozotocin injection. Rats were assigned (10/group) to Naive (received no treatment), diabetic control (injected with saline), and diabetic transformed mesenchymal stem cell treated (TMSCs). Measurement of blood pressure and doppler studies were performed, and blood samples were collected. Animals were then scarified and large and small vessels were collected for immunohistopathology. Results Anti-CD31 immuno-staining has shown successful homing of the injected transformed stem cells to the vascular endothelium. TMSCs treated group featured reduced systolic blood pressure, heart rate and pulse wave velocity when compared to control group. TMSCs treated group had lower serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). Renal function parameters (KIM-1 and cystatin C)) were significantly lower in TMSCs treated group. Renal artery doppler study revealed improved blood flow and reduced resistance in the TMSCs treated group when compared to the control group. Conclusion We show here that transformed mesenchymal stem cells could be a potential therapeutic approach against hyperglycemia-induced macro- and micro-vascular complications in aged diabetics.