Oxidant-Antioxidant Status of Rats Treated with Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation on the oxidant-antioxidant system in rat models of chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD). Material and Methods: A total of 50 Wistar albino male rats were used. All rats were given PD fluid intraperitoneally once daily during six weeks. Then, rats were divided into five groups: PD, MSC-2, placebo-2, MSC-3 and placebo-3 groups. The MSC group was treated with MSC while the placebo group was treated with phosphate buffer solution via intraperitoneal injection. Placebo and MSC groups were evaluated at the second and third week of treatment. At the end of the study, peritoneum samples were taken from all rats under anesthesia. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were studied in samples. Submesothelial thickness was measured. Results: Submesothelial thickness was significantly increased in PD and placebo groups compared with the MSC group. There were no statistical differences between PD with placebo and MSC groups in terms of MDA concentrations. Activities of antioxidant enzymes in MSC and P groups were lower than the PD group. Conclusion: MSC transplantation has a beneficial effect on the peritoneal membrane. It cannot be said that this effect occurs via an antioxidant defense system according to the results of our study.