Comparison of administration methods in adipose tissue-derived stem cell therapy in rats with colitis: An...

Stem cell studies have been increasing in recent years owing to the healing effect of stem cells on colitis. This study aimed to compare the effects of locally and intra-arterially administered adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ATDSCs) in a colitis model induced by acetic acid (AA).

Five groups were established, each consisting of six Wistar-Albino male rats. Group 1, colitis control group; Group 2, local phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) group; Group 3, local stem cell group; Group 4, intra-arterial PBS group; Group 5, intra-arterial stem cell group. Colitis was induced by the rectal administration of acetic acid. All rats were weighed on the day colitis was induced, on the day of stem cell administration (day 7), and on the day of sacrifice (day 14). All groups were evaluated for weight loss, histopathology, blood tumor necrosis factor-α-stimulated gene/protein-6 (TSG-6) levels, macroscopic laparotomy findings, and fluorescence microscopy.

Significant weight loss was observed in all the animals with colitis (p<0.05). Histopathological examination revealed less mucosal damage and greater healing in the intra-arterial group (p<0.05). Blood TSG-6 levels were also significantly higher in the intra-arterial group than in the other groups (p<0.05). Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that intra-arterially administered stem cells exhibited a more uniform and widespread distribution throughout the colon.

We believe that intra-arterially administered ATDSCs spread to the colon more effectively than locally administered ATDSCs, and that intra-arterial ATDSCs application may be a safe option for treating colitis with interventional angiographic techniques. Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to assess the efficacy of this treatment.