The impact of inflammatory factors and related cell growth factors of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for model rats with diabetic foot ulcer

Abstract

Objective To study effect of inflammatory factors and related cell growth factors of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs) for model rats with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), and analyzed the possible action mechanism of HUCMSCs therapy DFU. Methods 50 specific pathogen free (SPF)-level male rats were fed with high-fat beverage for 4 weeks. The DFU models were established by means of intraperitoneal injection of 1% streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) and steam fumigation. 30 successful model rats were divided into model group, high-dose HUCMSCs group (high-dose group: femoral artery injection with HUCMSCs 2.0×106/0.2 ml) and low-dose HUCMSCs group (low-dose group: femoral artery injection with HUCMSCs 1.0×106/0.2 ml), 10 rats/each group. Another 10 SPF-level male rats were selected and set as blank control group (blank group). Then wound healing rate, serum inflammatory factors, related cell growth factors, granulation tissue fibroblasts and newly born capillaries were compared between the groups. Results (1) Wound healing rate: The model group, low-dose group, high-dose group respectively were (26.31±4.32)%, (66.92±7.24)%, (74.74±8.32)%. low-dose group and high-dose group wound healing rate were significantly higher than model group (t=8.424, 11.201, P<0.01), high-dose group wound healing rate were significantly higher than low-dose group (t=3.148, P<0.05). (2) Serum inflammatory factors: model group, low-dose group and high-dose group interleukin (IL)-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), hs-CRP respectively were (6.12±0.25), (4.54±0.36), (4.20±0.33) ng/L; (29.45±3.12), (21.13±3.24), (18.20±2.65) ng/L; (0.61±0.08), (0.45±0.07), (0.37±0.06) ng/L. low-dose group and high-dose group IL-1, TNF-α, hs-CRP were significantly lower than model group (t=11.400, 5.849, 5.111, 14.666, 8.691, 8.222, P<0.05, P<0.01), high-dose group were significantly lower low-dose group (t=2.202, 2.214, 2.744, P<0.05); (3) Related cell growth factors: model group, low-dose group and high-dose group basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) respectively were (46.42±6.36), (61.35±7.20), (68.24±8.12) ng/L; (546.32±30.24), (722.36±32.17), (772.45±34.26) μg/L; (2.24±0.32), (3.65±0.41), (4.26±0.55) μg/L. Low-dose group and high-dose group bFGF, EGF, VEGF were significantly higher than model group (t=4.915, 12.609, 8.573, 6.690, 15.648, 10.039, P<0.05, P<0.01). high-dose group bFGF, EGF and VEGF were significantly higher than low-dose group (t=2.031, 3.740, 2.812, P<0.05); (4) Granulation tissue fibroblasts and newly born capillaries: model group, low-dose group and high-dose group granulation tissue fibroblasts and newly born capillaries were respectively (155.24±8.45), (278.65±9.12), (305.12±10.25) cells/visual field; (4.36±0.45), (6.45±0.62), (7.24±0.60)×10/μm2. The low-dose group and high-dose group were significantly higher than model group (t=31.389, 8.627, 35.679, 12.143, P<0.01), high-dose group were significantly higher than low-dose group (t=6.101, 2.896, P<0.05). Conclusion HUMSCs help to promote the ulcerative healing of DFU rats. Key words: Diabetic foot ulcer; Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells; Inflammatory factor; Growth factor