Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent type of dementia characterized by its progression, neurobehavioral and neuro-pathological characteristics, leading to a diverse neuronal loss. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) have previously proved potential role in preventing the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders, so regarded as a promising new approach for AD regenerative therapy. Taurine was found to enhance stem cell activation and propagation yielding a higher concentration of neural progenitors and stem cells, and aid to lessen the number of activated microglia leading to down-regulated inflammation in vitro. The present study aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic potential of ADMSCs and/or taurine in treating AD rat model. It was planned to include three successive phases; induction, withdrawal, and therapeutic phases. Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into 2 main groups: control (C) group and AD model group. Behavioral changes, as manifested by the T-Maze experiment, had been recorded. β-amyloid levels had been measured in brain homogenate and serum by ELISA. Oxidative stress marker (MDA), and anti-oxidant enzymes activity (SOD, GSH, and CAT) in brain, as well as serum acetylcholine esterase activity were spectrophotometrically determined. Pro-apoptotic (p53 and Bax) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl2) gene expression in brain were evaluated using RT-qPCR. The histopathological alterations in brain tissues were also observed. The present study proved the potential therapeutic ability of ADMSCs and/or taurine in alleviating the adverse pathological changes induced by AlCl3 in AD rat model at both physiological and molecular levels.
Mesenchymal stem cells act as stimulators of neurogenesis and synaptic function in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease
