Effect of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs) on Cardiac Function and Ventricular Remodeling in Diabetic Rat Models Through Inhibiting MicroRNA (miR)-34a

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is harmful to heart tissue. We transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in this study to improve the function of diabetic heart. 45 rats were divided into healthy group, DM group (treated with high-fat diet), and BMSCs group (BMSCs transplantation into the ventricular wall) followed by analysis of miR-34a and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) levels, heart function, and ventricular remodeling in the three groups of rats. BMSCs were successfully cultured with high purity, and the myocardium in the BMSCs group was successfully labeled by DAPI. The left ventricular hypertrophy index and myocardial tissue CVF of rats with DM increased significantly, suggesting that ventricular remodeling in DM rats was stimulated. However, when BMSCs were transplanted to the ventricular wall, although the ventricular remodeling was not completely avoided, apoptosis of BMSCs group was significantly reduced. MiR-34a relative level in BMSCs group was obviously elevated, whereas ALDH2 level showed opposite trend with a negative relationship. MiR-34a can effectively bind to the 3′-UTR of ALDH2 mRNA, indicating that it can directly regulate gene expression. BMSCs can promote the synthesis of ALDH2 by inhibiting the expression of miR-34a, and improve the cardiac function and ventricular remodeling of diabetic rats.