Effects of different methods of bone mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on recruitment of diabetic rat

Objective To investigate the recruitment of different methods of bone mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation on diabetes. Methods A total of 54 diabetic rats were divided randomly into three groups: control group (n=18), tail vein MSCs transplantation group (n=18), and heart MSCs transplantation group (n=18). MSCs were isolated from bone marrow by adhesive screening method in aseptic condition, cultured and marked with 5–bromo–2–deoxyuridine (BrdU) in vitro. The blood glucose and body weight were measured at 3, 7 or 14 days. The pancreas was collected for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry. The area of pancreatic islets and the values of IOD of yellow positive insulin granules were analyzed, and the distribution of BrdU positive MSCs in the pancreas was observed. Results There were no significant difference in blood glucose level between the three groups at any time point. The body weight of tail vein MSCs transplantation group and heart MSCs transplantation group increased after MSCs transplantation. At 7 and 14 days, the difference in body weight was statistically significant between the three groups (F=5.0 or 4.8, P<0.05). At 7 days, the pancreatic islet area in heart MSCs transplantation group was increased, in comparison with the control group (F=4.50, P<0.05). At 14 days, insulin expression in tail vein MSCs transplantation group and heart MSCs transplantation group was significantly increased than the control group (F=4.613, P<0.05). Some BrdU–positive cells were observed in the pancreas. Conclusion Heart MSCs transplantation could play an important role in effective treatment of diabetes mellitus. Key words: Diabetes mellitus; Insulin; Mesenchymal stem cells; Transplantation