人脐带间充质干细胞移植治疗急性肺损伤

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for the treatment of acute lung injury

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can improve pulmonary ventilation function by reducing inflammations. OBJECTIVE:To observe the therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on acute lung injury. METHODS:Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into normal group, model group and experimental group. Rats in the latter two groups were used to establish animal models of acute lung injury by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide. One hour after modeling, rats in the experimental group were intratracheally administered human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell suspension (0.1 mL, 1×10⁶ cells), and those in the other two groups were given normal saline in the same dose intratracheally. Twenty-four hours after treatment, the pathological changes of lung tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining; the wet and dry weight ratio of the lung tissue and the levels of serum interleukin-1 and interleukin-8 were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the normal group, the wet and dry weight ratio of the lung tissue and the levels of serum interleukin-1 and interleukin-8 were significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.05), while compared with the model group, these levels were significantly decreased in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed clear alveolar space structure with complete alveolar septum in the normal group. In the model group, the alveolar septum was markedly thickened, and there was visible pulmonary capillary hyperemia, edema, as well as a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltrations in the pulmonary capillaries and alveolar space. Edema fluid rich in proteins was observed in a part of the pulmonary alveoli, and an extensive transparent membrane formed in the alveolar space. In the experimental group, the alveolar structure was clear, but the alveolar septum became thickened, and red blood cells and a small amount of infiltrated inflammatory cells were leaked from the pulmonary interstitial tissue. In conclusion, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for treatment of acute lung injury can reduce inflammatory factor levels and alleviate lung injury.