The effects of mesenchymal stem cells applied during the subacute period in peripheral neuropathy

Abstract

Purpose: The study aims to investigate the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) administered subacute period to neuropathic mice on allodynia and nerve-muscle tissue functions during 24 weeks. Materials and Methods: Peripheral neuropathy was induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation. Experiments were conducted in Control, Sham, Neuropathic, BM-MSC, and Neuropathic+BM-MSC groups. Allodynia was measured by cold plate test at the 2nd, 6th, and 24th weeks. Electrophysiological and histopathological examinations were performed on isolated nerve-muscle tissues at the end of the 24th week. Results: Allodynia threshold increased in the Neuropathic+BM-MSC group (7.76±0.33 sec) from the 6th week and continued to increase along 24 weeks compared to the Neuropathic group (4.36±0.21 sec). Action potential (137.9±7.85 mV) and depolarization (0.74±0.01 msec) values of the Neuropathic+BM-MSC group exhibited partial improvement compared to the Neuropathic group (121.5±3.03 mV and 0.81±0.02 msec, respectively) at the 24th week. Muscle tissue's resting membrane potential values increased in the Neuropathic+BM-MSC group compared to the Neuropathic group (-73.4±0.2 and -87.7±0.2 mV, respectively). Histopathological examination of nerve tissue revealed loss of myelinated axons and significant fibrosis in the endoneurium in the Neuropathic group while Schwann cell proliferation and preservation of myelinated axons were observed in the Neuropathic+BM-MSC group. Muscle fiber atrophy, compensatory hypertrophic fibers, and increased central nuclei were seen in the Neuropathic group, while small atrophic muscle fiber groups were identified in the Neuropathic+BM-MSC group. Conclusion: BM-MSC application in the subacute period is found to reduce allodynia and provide functional recovery in nerve-muscle tissue in experimental peripheral neuropathy.