RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effect and mechanism of intravenously administered bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on renal failure in diabetic mice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: BMSCs were obtained from the bone marrow of mice, identified by flow cytometry and tri-line differentiation test. Diabetic model (DM) mice were established using STZ and infused with mice BMSCs intravenously, followed by the analysis of fasting blood glucose and proteinuria levels, renal tissue damage by optical microscope and electron microscope, and PI3K/AKT signaling protein expression in kidney by Western blot and endocrine function by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: DM mice exhibited gradually increased albumin excretion rate with time, and the MSC-treated diabetic mice presented significantly reduced proteinuria levels. HE staining indicated that MSC administration mitigated renal damage as proved by smaller tubular dilatation, reduced glomerulosclerosis and trace protein cylinders, and recovered kidney ultrastructure as shown by improved mesangial dilatation and podocyte loss. Further, BMSCs treatment activated PI3K/AKT signaling, which was downregulated in diabetic mice. However, MSC administration failed to improve pancreatic endocrine function in DM mice. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous administration of MSCs can effectively prevent renal failure in diabetic mice by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.