Insights into the protective capacity of human dental pulp stem cells and its secretome in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity: effects on oxidative stress and histological changes

Objectives: Acute renal injury (AKI) is a major limiting factor for cisplatin administration. Recent evidence suggests the potential contribution of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to rehabilitation from several disorders via both direct and indirect routes. Thus, the present study aimed, for the first time, to explore and compare the reno-protective potential of human dental pulp-derived stem cells (hDPSCs) vs. hDPSC-conditioned medium (hDPSC-CM) in recovery of impaired kidney tissues in a rat animal model of cisplatin-induced AKI.

Methods: AKI was induced via cisplatin injection (n=36). One day after, 24 rats were treated with either hDPSCs or hDPSC-CM (n=12). An extra set of rats (n=12) served as sham group. On days 2 or 7 (n=6), rats were humanly sacrificed for further analysis. Renal injury was explored via measuring serum creatinine and BUN. Renal level of oxidative stress was assessed by determining malondialdehyde, and enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Renal histopathological changes were scored for comparison among different experimental groups.

Results: A single dose of cisplatin resulted in considerable renal dysfunction and oxidative stress. Treatment with hDPSCs or hDPSC-CM resulted in significantly restored renal function, reduced level of oxidative stress, and improved histopathological manifestations. Furthermore, as compared to hDPSC-CM, administration of hDPSCs led to superior results in AKI-induced animals.

Conclusions: The current study described the first comparative evidence of reno-protective potential of hDPSCs and their CM against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in an AKI rat model, proposing them as useful adjunctive therapy in AKI. Yet, future explorations are still needed.