The effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on the expression of nerve growth factor and caspase-3 after cardiac arrest in the rats

Objective To investigate the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation on the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and Caspase-3 in rat hippocampus after cardiac arrest (CA). Methods Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham group (n=6), CA group (n=6), and BMSCs group (n=6). CPR was performed on the groups after the induction of asphyxial cardiac arrest. Animals in the BMSCs group or the CA group were respectively injected with a dose of 1×106 BMSCs in 0.5 mL phosphate buffer solution (PBS) or 0.5 mL PBS alone via the vena caudalis 1 h after successful resuscitation. The neurological status after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) were assessed by modified neurological severity scores (mNSS); serum levels of S100B were assayed, and the expression of NGF and Caspase-3 in hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with the CA group, mNSS and S100B levels were lower in the BMSCs group on the 7th day after ROSC [(0.9±0.3) vs (4.5±0.6), (90.12±4.62) pg/mL vs (182.30±2.58) pg/mL, both P<0.05] with higher expression of NGF and lower expression of Caspase-3 [(11.391±1.297) vs (7.744±1.334), (6.256±1.036) vs (8.506±1.742), both P< 0.05]. Conclusions BMSCs transplantation might improve rat's neurological functions after cardiac arrest, which may be related to up-regulation of NGF expression and down-regulation of Caspase-3 expression. Key words: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells; Cardiac arrest; Global cerebral ischemic injury; Cerebral resuscitation; Transplantation; Nerve growth factor; Caspase-3