Clinical Study on Mesenchymal Stem Cell Factors Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), characterized by cognitive decline, lacked effective cures. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) factors (MSCFs) offered a new approach by promoting brain tissue repair and modulating immune responses, presenting a promising alternative to AD treatment with minimal risks. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of MSCF on AD and to compare the effects with traditional MSC treatments. Methods: Sixty patients were divided into control and observation groups, with 30 cases in each group. The control group were injected intravenously with 10 mL of MSCs (5.0 × 109 L-1) plus 100 mL normal saline (once every 5 days for six consecutive treatments). The observation group received intramuscular injections of 0.5 mL (1 mL for the first dose) of MSCF (every other day for 15 consecutive treatments). Amyloid-β 42 (Aβ42) and Tau protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid were determined by ELISA pretreatment and at 1, 3, and 6 months’ post-treatment. The Clinical Dementia Rating of AD patients was recorded at these intervals to evaluate treatment efficacy. Results: Aβ42 levels increased, and Tau protein levels decreased in both groups. The CDR score dropped post treatment. The total effective rate and clinical cure rate were 86.67% and 6.70% in the control group and 100% and 40% in the observation group, respectively. MSCF and MSCs uniquely impact AD. Conclusion: MSCs contributed to damaged nerve cell repair, new nerve cell differentiation, and the participation of some dormant nerve cells in physiological activity. MSCF offered a small-dose, rapid, and safe treatment with simple operation.