Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Treatment on Radiation-Induced Proctitis in Rats

Abstract

Purpose There are no effective treatment methods with which to control complications of radiation proctitis with fistula or recurrent bleeding following radiation treatment for prostate, cervical, or rectal cancer. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can induce immune modification, resulting in tissue repair and regeneration. Therefore, we used a rat model of radiation-induced proctitis and observed the effects of using human placenta-derived (PD) and adipose tissue-derived (AD) MSCs. Materials and Methods Female Sprague Dawley rats were irradiated at the pelvic area with 25 Gy. We injected 1×10 6 cells of human PD-MSCs, human AD-MSCs, human foreskin fibroblasts, and control media into the rectal submucosa following irradiation. We sacrificed rats for pathologic evaluation. Results Fibrosis on the rectum was reduced in both MSC groups, compared to the control group. Mucosal Ki-67 indices of both MSC injected groups were higher than those in the control group. Although caspase-3 positive cells in the mucosa gradually increased and decreased in the control group, those in both MSC injected groups increased rapidly and decreased thereafter. Conclusion We demonstrated the effects of regional MSC injection treatment for radiation-induced proctitis in rats. MSC injection reduced fibrosis and increased proliferation in rat mucosa. Human AD-MSCs and PD-MSCs had similar effectiveness.

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells as a therapeutic strategy for enterocutaneous fistula: an experimental model study

“…The upregulation of Sox6, Col2a1, and Agc1 expression in a murine model of bronchopleural fistula may be associated, respectively, with stem cell activation and differentiation, modulation of the inflammatory response, and increased proteolytic activity in tissue remodeling 42 . In a rat model study of radiation-induced proctitis, the injection of ASC demonstrated reduction in fibrosis and an increase in proliferation, aligning with our findings 43 . The Ki-67 stain revealed a higher presence of proliferative cells in the ASC injection groups, suggesting its potential to support epithelial regeneration.…”

Radiation-Induced Intestinal Injury: Injury Mechanism and Potential Treatment Strategies

“…In addition, irradiation enhances the internalization of MSC-derived extracellular vehicles (Evs) in epithelial cells, and MSC-derived EV treatment can improve small intestinal epithelial renewal by stimulating the proliferation of epithelial crypt cells and inhibiting apoptosis [ 115 ]. Kim et al [ 116 ] established a rat model of radiation-induced proctitis to investigate the therapeutic effects of human placenta-derived (PD) and adipose tissue-derived (AD) MSCs. They found that compared to the control group, both types of MSCs reduced rectal fibrosis, promoted mucosal proliferation, and inhibited apoptosis.…”