The possible therapeutic role of mesenchymal stem cells in amiodarone-induced lung injury in adult male albino rats

Abstract

Background and aim Lung injury and even pulmonary fibrosis represent a known adverse effect of amiodarone. No effective treatment was reported for pulmonary fibrosis except lung transplantation. Stem cell therapy holds a great promise for the repair of injured tissues. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential to present a new trend of treatment. This work aimed to study the effect of bone marrow-MSCs on amiodarone-induced lung injury in albino rats by histological methods. Materials and methods Forty-two adult male albino rats were used. Seven rats were used as a source of bone marrow-MSCs. Thirty-five rats were divided into the following groups: negative control group included seven rats that received no treatment; vehicle control group included seven rats that received polysorbate 80; amiodarone group included 14 rats that received daily oral amiodarone for 6 weeks and were subdivided into two equal subgroups as subgroup 3a (amiodarone administrated) and subgroup 3b (kept for 4 weeks after amiodarone stoppage); and stem cell-treated group included seven rats that received stem cells after amiodarone stoppage. Lung specimens were examined histologically. Results Amiodarone group showed disrupted lung architecture, collapsed alveoli, and significant increase in the thickness of interalveolar septa. Bronchioles showed thickened smooth muscle layer and obliterated lumens. Highly significant increase in area percent of collagen fibers was observed. In stem cell group, there was improvement of these histological changes. Conclusion MSCs can improve the deleterious effects associated with amiodarone-induced lung injury.