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Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Therapy on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Experimental Diabetic Kidney Disease
Einas Nagib Hussein1, Gehane M Hamed1, Ansam A Seif1
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Insights
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise in reducing cardiovascular risks associated with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). MSCs treatment improved blood pressure, glucose, and vascular function in DKD rats, offering hope for patients with this condition.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a progressive condition leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and increased cardiovascular morbidity/mortality.
- Patients with DKD are often excluded from cardiovascular trials, limiting research into risk modification strategies.
- Understanding DKD's impact on cardiovascular health is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in mitigating cardiovascular risk factors in a diabetic kidney disease (DKD) model.
- To assess the impact of MSCs on parameters such as blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid profile, and atherogenic index in DKD.
Main Methods:
- Sixty female albino rats were divided into control, untreated DKD, and MSCs-treated DKD groups.
- Cardiovascular risk factors were monitored, and aortic reactivity was studied in vitro.
- MSCs were administered intravenously 4 weeks after diabetes induction, with studies conducted 8 weeks post-induction.
Main Results:
- MSCs treatment significantly reduced blood pressure, atherogenic index, and blood glucose levels compared to untreated DKD rats.
- Vascular reactivity of the aorta improved significantly in MSCs-treated rats, despite no improvement in kidney function.
- Tracked MSCs were found in aortic and pancreatic tissues, but not in kidney tissue.
Conclusions:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) demonstrate potential in improving cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic kidney disease (DKD).
- The study suggests MSCs may offer a therapeutic avenue for reducing cardiovascular complications in DKD patients, especially those progressing to ESRD.
Background:
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a progressive kidney disease and a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Diabetic kidney disease has been strongly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite their susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), patients with DKD are less likely to receive appropriate cardiovascular risk modification as they are generally excluded from major cardiovascular trials. Awareness of vulnerability of these patients necessitates investigating potential interventions that would lessen their risk of adverse outcomes.
Objectives:
This study aimed to explore the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in modulating cardiovascular risk factors that develop with the progression of DKD.
Methods:
A total of 60 adult female albino rats were allocated into 3 groups: control group, untreated DKD group, and mesenchymal stem cells-treated diabetic kidney disease (MSCs-DKD) group. Blood pressure, blood glucose level, lipid profile, and atherogenic index were used to assess cardiovascular risk. All rats were killed and subjected to in vitro aortic reactivity studies 8 weeks after induction of diabetes. The MSCs-DKD rats received a single intravenous injection of MSCs 4 weeks after diabetes induction.
Results:
Mesenchymal stem cells injection significantly decreased blood pressure, atherogenic index, and blood glucose compared with untreated rats. The MSCs-DKD aorta also exhibited significant enhancement of vascular reactivity parameters despite absence of improvement in kidney function. These findings conformed to tracked MSCs, which were found residing in aortic and pancreatic tissues and absent in kidneys.
Conclusions:
Mesenchymal stem cells hold hope of improving cardiovascular risk and mortality in patients with DKD, particularly those deteriorating to ESRD.
