The Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Pulsed with 17 Beta-Estradiol in an Ameliorating Rat Model of Ulcerative Colitis

Background: Among the available supplements, 17 β-estradiol (E2) has strong proliferative effects on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Objectives: The current study aimed at evaluating the effects of E2-primed MSCs therapy in a rat model of ulcerative colitis. Methods: After the isolation of MSCs, cells were co-cultured with E2 for 24 hours. Colitis was induced by acetic acid in four groups; the control colitis, MSCs-treated, E2-primed MSCs-treated (E2-MSCs), and normal. MSCs and E2-MSCs were injected into the peritoneum in two distinct groups. After 10 days, the rats were evaluated for the level of nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, total protein, and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) in colonic homogenates. Results: The cell therapy with E2-MSCs in rats with colitis had a more desirable outcome; indeed, it resulted in a favorable regression in clinical score and inflammatory profile in rats with colitis than the MSCs-treated. The levels of myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde were significantly diminished and, conversely, the total protein levels were significantly increased in rats with ulcerative colitis receiving E2-MSCs compared to rats with colitis receiving untreated MSCs. On the same side, the level of proinflammatory cytokines reduced significantly in E2-MSCs rats than the MSCs group. Conclusions: E2-MSCs decrease colonic damage significantly, which is probably associated with the prominent reduction of lipid peroxidation, neutrophil infiltration, and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the colonic tissue. Therefore, it seems that E2 effectively surmounts the limitations of MSC application and makes it an ideal choice for cell therapy in inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis.