Therapeutic effects of Wharton’s jelly-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells on behaviors, EEG changes and IGF-1 in rat model of the Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Human Wharton s jelly-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (hWJ-MSCs) have shown beneficial effects in improving the dopaminergic cells in the Parkinson s disease (PD). In the present study, the effects of hWJ-MSCs on hyperalgesia, anxiety deficiency and Pallidal local electroencephalogram (EEG) impairment, alone and combined with L-dopa, were examined in a rat model of PD. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: 1) sham, 2) PD, 3) PD\u2009+\u2009C (Cell therapy), 4) PD\u2009+\u2009C+D (Drug), and 5) PD\u2009+\u2009D. PD was induced by injection of 6-OHDA (16\u2009μg/2\u2009μl into medial forebrain bundle (MFB)). PD\u2009+\u2009C group received hWJ-MSCs (1\u2009×\u2009106 cells, intravenous (i.v.)) twice post PD induction. PD\u2009+\u2009C+D groups received hWJ-MSCs combined with L-Dopa/Carbidopa, (10/30\u2009mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)). PD\u2009+\u2009D group received L-Dopa/Carbidopa alone. Four months later, analgesia, anxiety-like behaviors, were evaluated and Pallidal local EEG was recorded. Level of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) was measured in the striatum and dopaminergic neurons were counted in substantia nigra (SNc). According to data, MFB-lesioned rats showed hyperalgesia in tail flick, anxiety-like symptoms in cognitive tests, impairment of electrical power of pallidal local EEG as field potential, count of dopaminergic neurons in SNc and level of IGF-1 in striatum. These complications restored significantly by MSCs treatment (p\u2009<\u20090.001). Our findings confirm that chronic treatment with hWJ-MSC, alone and in combination with L-Dopa, improved nociception and cognitive deficit in PD rats which may be the result of increasing IGF-1 and protect the viability of dopaminergic neurons.