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Preventive effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in a D-galactose-induced brain aging
G El-Akabawy1,2,3, K Aabed4, L A Rashed5
1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates. gehanakabawy@gmail.com.
Background:
Aging is a complex process accompanied by numerous morphological, functional, and metabolic impairments in the brain, and a critical risk factor involved in the increasing incidence of neurodegenerative diseases. Few studies have evaluated the efficacy of different sources of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in ameliorating the early morphological and functional alterations in the aging brain. This study, for the first time, evaluated the potential efficacy of intravenous injection of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) in a D-galactose-induced rat model of brain aging.
Materials And Methods:
BMMSCs (1 × 10⁶) were intravenously injected into brain aging model rats once every 2 weeks for 8 weeks.
Results:
The transplanted cells survived and migrated to the brain, and differentiated into astrocytes and neurons, including choline acetyltransferase neurons. BMMSC transplantation improved locomotor activity and cognitive functions, restored cholinergic system function, protected atrophic cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain, induced antioxidative effects and restored neurotrophic factors, and modulated hippocampal synaptic plasticity by upregulating PSD95 and Egr1 expression.
Conclusions:
Our findings demonstrated the efficacy of BMMSC injection in an aging rat model and suggest that these cells may be developed into an effective cell therapy for the aging brain.
Insights
Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) improved brain aging in rats. This cell therapy shows promise for treating age-related cognitive decline and neurodegeneration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
- Aging Research
Background:
- Brain aging involves morphological, functional, and metabolic decline, increasing neurodegenerative disease risk.
- Limited research exists on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for early brain aging.
- This study investigates bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs) in a D-galactose-induced rat model.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate the efficacy of intravenous BMMSC injection in ameliorating brain aging.
- Assess the impact of BMMSCs on morphological and functional alterations in the aging brain.
- Explore BMMSC potential as a cell therapy for brain aging.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous injection of BMMSCs (1 × 10⁶) every 2 weeks for 8 weeks in rats.
- Monitoring cell survival, migration, and differentiation into neural cells (astrocytes, neurons).
- Assessing behavioral changes (locomotor activity, cognitive function) and molecular markers.
Main Results:
- Transplanted BMMSCs survived, migrated to the brain, and differentiated into astrocytes and neurons.
- BMMSC therapy improved locomotor activity and cognitive functions.
- Restored cholinergic system function, protected neurons, induced antioxidant effects, and modulated synaptic plasticity.
Conclusions:
- BMMSC injection demonstrated efficacy in a rat model of brain aging.
- BMMSCs show potential for developing effective cell therapies targeting the aging brain.
- Further research could validate BMMSCs for human brain aging interventions.
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