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Annals of Anatomy
Elsevier GmbH
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Abstract: |
Background: Ovariectomized menopausal rat model was used to investigate the effects of menopause on
the sublingual salivary gland (SSG) and the potential therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord blood
mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs).
Methods: Thirty rats were equally divided into three groups: sham-operated (SHAM), ovariectomized
(OVX), and ovariectomized stem cells injected (OVX+ hUCB-MSCs). Expressions of -SMA, AQP1, Sca-
1, PCNA, ssDNA, and caspase-3 were determined. Homing of hUCB-MSCs was detected by fluorescence
microscopy and examination of immunostained sections for human CD105 and CD34 was performed.
Morphometric data were statistically analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Scheffé’s
method. Correlation of AQP1 with Sca-1-positive sublingual stem cells was also analyzed.
Results: In the SSGs of the OVX group, ballooned mucus acinar cells, atrophied serous cells, and a decreased
number and height of duct lining cells were observed. The interstitial spaces were edematous, and the
blood vessels were congested. The significant decrease in the positive area % of -SMA and AQP1, the
number of Sca-1-positive sublingual stem cells, and proliferating cells was associated with a significant
increase in apoptotic cells. The OVX+hUCB-MSCs group showed significant structural improvement,
manifested by the normal appearance of mucus and serous acini, as well as the number and height of
striated duct cells. A significant increase in the positive area % of -SMA and AQP1 and the number of
proliferating and Sca-1-positive sublingual stem cells was observed. Interestingly, a significantly positive
Pearson’s correlation between the area % of AQP1 and the number of Sca-1-positive sublingual stem cells
was also recorded.
Conclusion: Our results indicated a positive effect of hUCB-MSCs therapy for SSG pathology in a post
ovariectomy rat model as evidenced by an improvement in the histologic architecture, upregulation of
the immunostained area % of -SMA and AQP1, increase in the number of Sca-1-positive sublingual stem
cells and proliferating cells, and downregulation of apoptotic cells.
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