Therapeutic efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells transplantation against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Abstract Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical problem raising the urgent needs to develop new strategies for treatment. The present study investigated the therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord – mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs) transplantation against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats. Methods Twenty four male Wistar rats were assigned into two main groups, sham group (control group) and I/R group. I/R group was injected in the tail vein with either phosphate buffer saline (PBS) or HUC-MSCs. Results The HUC-MSCs improved kidney injury induced by I/R as demonstrated by enhancement of the kidney function via decreasing serum levels of creatinine, urea and uric acid. The therapeutic efficacy of HUC-MSCs were found to be mediated through anti-oxidant activity as indicated by significant reduction in total malondialdehyde (MDA) and significant increment in the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Conclusion The present work suggests that HUC-MSCs may be an effective therapeutic agent against renal IRI. The recorded data showed improvement of renal functions and urine albumin in HUC-MSCs than IRI group with positive antioxidant efficacy of HUC-MSCs through scavenging free radicals and supporting the antioxidant enzymes.