Each year, scientists continue to learn more about the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs are multipotent cells found within umbilical cord blood (UCB), bone, and adipose tissue. They are powerful cells capable of regenerating ligament, cartilage, bone, and other tissue types.
In a new discovery, a team of researchers have found that the MSCs found within umbilical cord blood may be more powerful than the cells found within adipose tissue and bone marrow.
The researchers were testing the use of mesenchymal stem cells for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) using a rat model. The team treated the rats using intravenous injections of MSCs from umbilical cord blood and found that they reduced right ventricle dysfunction, blood vessel alterations, and inflammation significantly. The injection also modulated PAH-regulating pathways in a beneficial way.
The study, entitled Comparative analysis on the anti-inflammatory/immune effect of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, was recently published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a common cardiovascular condition where the pulmonary blood vessels carrying blood from the heart to the lungs become narrow. This restricts blood flow and causes hypertension.
This is just the latest significant discovery involving umbilical cord blood stem cells in recent months. UCB MSCs have shown incredible potential for treating cardiovascular diseases like pulmonary hypertension. They are valuable for treating these types of conditions as they can regenerate tissue and reduce inflammation simultaneously.
The rats used in the trial had received an injection of monocrotaline to induce PAH. After two weeks, they received injections of MSCs and were assessed several times. The rats that received an injection of bone marrow saw an alleviation in right ventricle pressure overload by an average of 28.96% compared to 35.08% in the rats that received UCB MSCs. Rats that received MSCs derived from adipose tissue only saw an improvement of 13.73%.
Source: Umbilical Stem Cell Therapy Alleviates PAH Symptoms in Rats
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