Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells protect against folic acid- induced acute kidney injury

Resumen

Acute kidney injury constitutes a syndrome responsible by a major percentage of acute kidney failures and it continues being associated to high mortality rates. Induced mainly by ischemia-reperfusion injury and nephrotoxic drugs, this condition is marked by a decrease in organ function and histopathological pattern of acute tubular necrosis. In search of more efficient therapies, a great deal of attention has been given to the therapeutic use of stem cells to treat kidney injuries. Bone marrow stem cells in particular have received a great attention due to its immunomodulatory properties, and its therapeutic mechanisms are intensely being studied in the literature. Purpose: In view of recent findings, the aim of our research was to get a better understanding on the potential role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in a murine model of acute nephotoxicity induced by folic acid. Methods: C57Bl/6j mice (8 weeks) were submitted to acute kidney injury by folic acid (200mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally. After 24 hours, mice received mesenchymal stem cells (5.105 cells per animal) through retro-orbital intravenous injection. Mice were sacrificed after 24 hours and blood and kidneys were harvested for analysis. Results: Stem cell treatment conferred functional improvement seen through lower creatinine and urea serum levels in 8 week old C57Bl/6j mice in comparison to mice treated only with folic acid (200mg/kg body weight). This amelioration are also correlated to down regulation of kidney pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels as TNF-a, IL-6 and IL-1b in stem cell treated mice. In addition, treated mice demonstrated higher levels of immunostaining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen and a tendency towards a higher Bcl-2/Bax mRNA ratio, indicating higher tissue regeneration and protection against injury-induced apoptosis. Conclusion: These results indicate bone marrow stem cells as an efficient tool in nephrotoxic kidney injury treatment.