Studying the Anticancer Properties of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells against Hepatocellular Carcinoma Induced by N-Nitrosodiethylamine in Male Rats

Abstract

This study was initiated to emphasize the possibility that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) could alleviate hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo. Forty rats were enrolled and distributed as follows; group 1 was set as a negative control, while all of groups 2, 3, and 4 were orally received N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) for hepatocellular carcinoma induction (HCC). Group 2 was left untreated, whereas groups 3 and 4 were orally treated with BM-MSCs and doxorubicin (DOX), respectively. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) activities were estimated. The study looked at serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), glypican-3 (GPC-3), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and suppressors of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3). The liver tissue sections were also examined histopathologically. Results: Serum AST, ALT, ALP, and γ-GT activity were all significantly higher in the HCC group, along with AFP, Gpc-3, and STAT3 levels associated with a significant reduction in SOCS3 level versus the negative control group. The current data indicated that BM-MSCs and DOX administration in HCC rats yielded a significant decline in serum levels of AFP, Gpc-3, and STAT3 along with significant enhancement in serum SOCS3 level. Histopathological examination revealed that treatment with BM-MSCs and DOX significantly reduced the disruption of hepatic tissue architecture caused by NDEA intoxication. Conclusion: The biochemical parameters and the structural organization of the liver were improved considerably in HCC groups treated with BM-MSCs or DOX. Finally, the current work demonstrated the anticancer activity of BM-MSCs against hepatocellular carcinoma in an experimental setting.