ABSTRACT
End-stage renal disease is a major health problem. Recent studies have reported the efficacy of stem cell therapy in nephropathy animal models. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of stem cells on renal structure and functions in nephropathy rat models. Thirty male albino rats were divided into three groups: control [I] and nephropathy [II, III] groups. Nephropathy was induced by an intravenous injection of adriamycin. Animals that were found to be nephropathic were divided into two groups: group II [animals were not subjected to treatment] and group III [animals were treated with an intravenous injection of stem cells]. Five weeks after the start of the experiment, urine and blood samples were collected for biochemical investigation and kidney tissue was used for histological examination. The percentages of affected renal tubular cells were calculated, in addition to the area percentage of periodic acid-Schiff-positive material and collagen and their results were statistically analyzed. Adriamycin produced a significant increase in serum urea, creatinine and urinary proteins, with a significant decrease in creatinine clearance and serum albumin. Histological examination showed acute focal tubular necrosis, the renal corpuscles showed thickened membranes, changes in Bowman's capsule parietal cells and effacement of podocyte foot processes and the interstitium showed mononuclear cellular infiltration. A significant increase in damaged tubular cells, area percentage of periodic acid-Schiff-positive material and collagen was also detected. The use of stem cells produced a significant amelioration of all these results. Stem cell transplantation is effective in improving both the structure and the function of kidneys in nephropathic rat models