Intravenous Transplants of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Protect the Rat Brain From Ischemia-Induced Damage

Abstract

Background: Survival following cardiac arrest (CA) and subsequent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), to a great extent, depends on brain damage. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), as a source of paracrine growth factors and the capacity of neural differentiation may reduce this brain damage. Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the protection of ADSCs to brain damage following CPR. Methods: Rats were divided into 3 groups, sham, CA, and ADSCs group. Rats in sham group went through sham surgery. Rats in CA group went through CA, CPR, and injection PBS (phosphate buffer saline). Rats in ADSCs group went through CA, CPR, and intravenous injection of ADSCs. Rats in sham group were sacrificed immediately after operation. At 24, 72, and 168 hours after return of spontaneous circulation operation, rats in CA and ADSCs group were randomly selected and sacrificed. Brain damage was evaluated by using Neurological Deficit Scale (NDS) score, hippocampal pathology, serum level of S100β, and apoptosis ratio of hippocampal neurons. Protein of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and IL-6 (interleukin-6) in the hippocampus were detected. Results: Compared with sham group, CA and ADSCs group showed a decrease in NDS score, an increased apoptosis ratio of hippocampal nerve cells, increased serum level of S100-β, and a significant increase in neuroprotective IL-6 and BDNF. In comparison to CA group, ADSCs group had a mild degree of brain damage and higher expression of IL-6 and BDNF. Conclusions: In the acute stage of cerebral injury following CA, ADSCs might improve the prognosis of brain damage by stimulating the expression of neuroprotective IL-6 and BDNF.