Comparative study of autologous stromal vascular fraction and adipose-derived stem cells for recovery of renal function in a rat model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury

Abstract

Background: There is little study to compare the use of different cell types derived from adipose tissue or the optimal route for efficient and safe cell delivery in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). The abilities of autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC), injected via three different routes, to protect renal function in a rat model of renal IRI were compared. Materials and Methods: Ninety male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into 9 groups: sham, nephrectomy control, IRI control, renal arterial SVF injection, renal parenchymal SVF injection, tail venous SVF injection, renal arterial ADSC injection, renal parenchymal ADSC injection, and tail venous ADSC injection groups. The renal function was evaluated 4 days before and 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 14 days after surgical procedures to induce renal IRI. The histomorphometric studies were performed 14 days after surgical procedures. Results: Renal parenchymal injection of SVF significantly reduced the extent of elevation in serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, compared with those for the IRI control group. Renal parenchymal injection of SVF significantly reduced the extent of decrease in glomerular filtration rate, compared with that for the IRI control group. In addition, collagen content was lower in the renal parenchymal SVF injection group than in the IRI control group. Apoptosis was decreased in the renal parenchymal SVF injection group, compared with that in the IRI control group, and proliferation was increased. The expressions of anti-oxidative makers such as glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase were higher in the renal parenchymal SVF injection group than in IRI control group. Conclusions: Our study suggests that renal function is effectively rescued from renal IRI through renal parenchymal injection of SVF by enhanced anti-fibrotic, anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative effects.