Experimental research on marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation therapy on rat model of pulmonary arterial hypertension

Objective: To investigate the effect and action mechanisms of rat bone marrow mysenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) on the treatment of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension. Methods: The approach of whole bone marrow adherent culture was adopted to isolate rBMSCs. Totally 26 healthy SD rats were randomly divided into three groups. Rats in control group (n=6) were subcutaneously injected with sodium chloride. Models of pulmonary hypertension (n=12) were induced by subcutaneously injecting monocrotaline (60 mg/kg). Rats in interference group (n=8) were subcutaneously injected with monocrotaline (60 mg/kg) and subsequently received rBMSCs (1×10⁶/mL 0.5 mL). Right ventricular pressure (RSVP), right ventricular index [RV/(LV+S)], histology of lung tissues and the level of ET-1 in lung tissues were determined four weeks later. Results: RSVP, RV/(LV+S) and ET-1 content were significantly increased in pulmonary hypertension model group as compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment with rBMSCs, these indexes were dramatically reduced (P<0.05). Histological results showed a significant vascular remodeling in model group; however, this was dramatically suppressed by rBMSCs treatment. Conclusion: rBMSCs transplantation decreases ET-1 expression and further inhibits pulmonary vascular remodeling, thus ameliorating the development of pulmonary hypertension.