Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 6, 2026
Intratracheal Instillation of Stem Cells in Term Neonatal Rats
Published on: May 4, 2020
Mesenchymal stem cell treatment in hyperoxia-induced lung injury in newborn rats
Selvi Gülaşı1, Aytuğ Atıcı1, Şakir Necat Yılmaz2
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
Background:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of tracheally delivered mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on lung pathology in a hyperoxia-induced lung injury (HILI) model in neonatal rats.
Methods:
For the HILI model, rat pups were exposed to 85-95% oxygen during the first 10 days of life. Rats were divided into six groups: room-air normoxia (n = 11); room air, sham (n = 11); hyperoxia exposed with normal saline as placebo (n = 9); hyperoxia exposed with culture medium of MSC (n = 10); hyperoxia exposed with medium remaining after harvesting of MSC (n = 8); and hyperoxia exposed with MSC (n = 17). Pathologic changes, number and diameter of alveoli, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and localization of MSC in the lungs were assessed.
Results:
Number of alveoli increased and alveolar diameter decreased in the mesenchymal stem cell group so that there were no differences when compared with the normoxia group (P = 0.126 and P = 0.715, respectively). Expression of α-SMA decreased significantly in the mesenchymal stem cell group compared with the placebo group (P < 0001). Green fluorescent protein-positive cells were found in lung tissue from all rats given MSC. Some green fluorescent protein-positive MSC also expressed surfactant protein-C.
Conclusion:
Mesenchymal stem cells became localized in damaged lung tissue, and recovery approximated the room air control.
