Effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on cardiovascular complications in diabetic rats

Background; The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on cardiovascular complications of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in rats. Material/Methods: MSCs were derived from the bone marrow of male albino rats. The MSCs were characterized morphologically and by RT-PCR for CD29 expression. They were then infused into female rats which were made diabetic by IP injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The rats were divided into control, STZ, and STZ plus MSC groups. Serum insulin, glucose, and fibrinogen were estimated in all groups and the Y-chromosome gene sry was detected by PCR in pancreatic and cardiac tissues. Physiological cardiovascular functions (heart rate, systolic blood pressure) were assessed by a Langendorff apparatus. Results: Diabetic rats which received MSCs showed significantly lower serum glucose and increased serum insulin levels compared with the STZ group. Improvement of cardiovascular performance was also observed in the STZ/MSC group compared with the STZ group. The sry gene was detected by PCR in the pancreatic and cardiac tissues of the STZ/MSC group. Conclusions: Rat bone marrow harbors cells that have the capacity to differentiate into functional insulin-producing cells capable of controlling blood glucose level in diabetic rats. This may provide a source of cell-based therapy for DM. Furthermore, MSC transplantation can improve cardiac function in DM.