Transplanted bone marrow stromal cells improve cognitive dysfunction due to aging hypoperfusion in rats.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Regenerative Medicine
• Aging Research

Background:

• Aging is a primary risk factor for vascular dementia.
• D-galactose (D-gal) injection and two-vessel occlusion (2VO) are models for aging and vascular dementia, respectively.
• Investigating combined D-gal + 2VO for aging vascular dementia and BMSC therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate D-galactose plus 2VO as a model for aging vascular dementia.
• To assess the efficacy of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in improving cognitive function in this model.

Main Methods:

• Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: control, D-gal, D-gal + 2VO, D-gal + 2VO + saline, and D-gal + 2VO + BMSCs.
• Aging hypoperfusion was induced by D-gal injection and bilateral common carotid artery occlusion.
• BMSCs or saline were stereotactically transplanted into the subventricular zone; cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM).

Main Results:

• Transplanted BMSCs integrated into the brain, adopting neuronal and astrocyte phenotypes.
• The D-gal + 2VO + BMSC group showed significant improvements in MWM performance (swimming path distance, escape latency) compared to the D-gal + 2VO group (P < 0.05).
• Cognitive function in the BMSC-treated group remained impaired compared to controls, with no significant difference in swimming speed across groups.

Conclusions:

• D-galactose combined with two-vessel occlusion effectively induces cognitive dysfunction, modeling aspects of aging vascular dementia.
• Engrafted bone marrow stromal cells demonstrate a beneficial effect on cognitive function through interaction with the host brain.
• BMSC transplantation offers a potential therapeutic strategy for cognitive impairment in aging vascular dementia.