Histological and Biochemical evaluation of the therapeutic influence of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells versus Genistein on induced diabetic retinopathy in adult male albino rats

Abstract

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes-related eye disease that can result in vision loss. Mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow (BMSC) hold great promise for new medical therapies. Genistein is a naturally occurring compound found in soy products. It has been used to alleviate and regulate blood glucose levels.Aim: The goal of this research was to assess and compare the potential efficacy of Genistein versus BMSC in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.Materials and methods: 53 adult male albino rats were split into four groups: control group (I), diabetic group (II) (single STZ dose 60 mg / kg I.P), Diabetic + BMSCs group (III) (0.2 ml of PKH26 labelled MSCs suspension in BPS 3x106 cells/ml) intravitreal to diabetic rats and Diabetic + Genistein group (IV) (0.18 mg/kg orally). Animals were anesthetized and sacrificed at the end of the study (8 weeks). Both animal eyes were removed for histological, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopic analyses. Biochemical and morphometric studies had been carried out.Results: Diabetic group had a reduced total retinal thickness as well as destructed photoreceptor layer. The inner nuclear layer has thinned and exposing darkly stained nuclei. The ganglion cells showed pyknotic nuclei. Vacuolation was evident in the plexiform layers. The immuno-expression of caspase-3, COX-2, and vimentin increased significantly. Ultrastructural changes revealed pigmented epithelium degradation, disorganized and vacuolated photoreceptors associated with condensed nuclei, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and distorted mitochondria of bipolar cells. Biochemically, antioxidant enzymes including glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were declined, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased dramatically. Both BMMSCs and Genistein improved histological structure of diabetic retina.Conclusion: Though both BMSCs and Genistein were found to be effective potential intervention therapy for diabetic retinopathy, Genistein could be a promising therapy that delays the development of early pathological processes in diabetics prior to vision loss.