Diabetes (DM) is associated with micro- and macrovascular complications and impaired wound healing which leads to the formation of chronic lesions. Mesenchymal stem cells exert anti-inflammatory and secretory actions and their use in chronic lesions has obtained a high success rate, improving the healing process. In the present study, we have evaluated the effects of the use of a lineage of human mesenchymal cells obtained from bone marrow cells and immortalized by the enzyme telomerase (hBMSC-TERT), in wound healing in diabetics and their possible mechanism as regulators of MMPs. Male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 8): Control without injury, Control with injury, Control with injury + hBMSC-TERT, Diabetics without injury, Diabetics with injury, Diabetics with injury + hBMSC-TERT. DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) and cutaneous lesions were performed in the dorsal region with the use of a punch (6 mm). Three weekly subcutaneous injections of hBMSC-TERT (1x106) into the lesion were performed. Thirteen days after the last injection, euthanasia and the collection of cutaneous tissue were performed for histological analysis (hematoxylin-eosin) and MMP-2 activity determination by gelatin zymography. The presence of fibroblasts and inflammatory infiltrate was significantly lower (p <0.05) in infused diabetic animals when compared to those non-infused, indicating an improvement of the healing process in the diabetic group treated with hBMSC-TERT. The diabetic animals infused with hBMSC-TERT showed improvement in the healing process with respect to the amount and organization of collagen when compared to diabetic animals that did not receive an infusion of hBMSC-TERT. The levels of pro MMP-2 were significantly higher in Control with injury group than in Control group treated with hBMSC-TERT and in diabetic animals.
In conclusion, the data indicate that hBMSC-TERT may become an important therapeutic tool.
Â.M. Leal: None.
