The role of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells in improving the neurological function of acute ischemic stroke model of rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the role of human umbilical cord blood(UCB)-derived mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) in improving the neurological function of acute ischemic stroke model of rats and mechanisms. Methods The middle cerebral artery occulusion(MCAO) models in 82 rats were randomly divided into UCB- MSCs group(n= 41)and control group(n= 41).Human UCB- MSCs were isolated and cultured, and identified by nestin staining. The UCB- MSCs were transplanted into the ventricles of rats 48 h after modeling and marked.At 24th h, 7th day and 14 day after transplantation, the neurological functions were assessed by using improved neurological function in rats(m NSS).The proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) were detected by using immunofluorescence method. Results UCB-MSCs were successfully separated in 42 parts.At 7th day and 14th day after transplantation, the function scores of rats in UCB- MSCs group were 6.76±0.42 and 4.27±0.49, which were statistically significantly lower than in the control group(P< 0.05).At 14th day after transplantation, the number of 5- bromo 2'- deoxyuridine(Brd U)/doublecortin(DCX)and Brd U/glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) double labeled positive cells was 74.31±3.04 and 65.38±2.43 respectively, which were significantly greater than in the control group(P< 0.05).The expression of neurotrophic factor VEGF in UCB- MSCs group was 109.53±5.91, significantly higher than in the control group(P< 0.05). Conclusion UCB-MSCs transplantation could effectively promote neurological function recovery of acute ischemic stroke model possibly by promoting the proliferation of the endogenous neural stem cells and neurotrophic factor VEGF release. Key words: Human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells; Ischemic stroke; Neurological function