Background and Objectives: Sarco(endo) plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) is the ATP-driven pump that
translocates Ca2+ from the cytoplasm to the lumen of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. 25% of children and adolescents with
type 1 diabetes will develop diastolic dysfunction that results in part from a reduction in the activity of SERCA2a. The
present study aimed at investigating and comparing the therapeutic effect of Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells (AMSCs)
with SERCA2a gene modified AMSCs in diabetes type 1 induced cardiomyopathy of adult male albino rat.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine adult male albino rats were divided into: Donor group of 2 rats used to obtain
AMSCs. Group I (Control group): 6 rats not exposed to diabetes induction. Group II (Diabetic group): 7 rats injected
with streptozotocin (STZ) 50mg/Kg once. Group III ( (AMSCs group): 7 rats injected with AMSCs following induction
of diabetes. Group IV (SERCA2a Modified AMSCs Group): 7 rats injected with SERCA2a modified AMSCs, following
induction of diabetes. All rats were sacrificed 8 weeks from start of experiment.
Results: Morphological changes, indicating inflammation and degeneration, were found in the cardiac muscle of diabetic
rats and regressed remarkably by AMSCs and SERCA2a modified AMSCs. The regression of morphological changes was
confirmed by histological, immunohistochemical, morphometric and serological studies.
Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of SERCA2a modified AMSCs in diabetes type 1 cardiomyopathy was more
remarkable than that of AMSCs.