Background and Objectives: Ischemic stroke (an acute cerebrovascular event) is major health problem. It is associated with
high rates of mortality and long-term disabilities. The therapeutic options remain limited. This work aimed to evaluate and
compare the possible protective effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), their conditioned media
(BM-MSCs-CM) and their derived microvesicles (BM-MSCs-MVs) on acute cerebral ischemia.
Materials and Methods: Fifty-two adult male albino rats were divided into five groups: Group I, Group II, Group III, Group < br />IV and Group V. Acute cerebral ischemia was induced in all experimental groups via transient right common carotid artery
(RCCA) occlusion. Brain specimens were processed for hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemical staining for glial
fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The mean area percent for both GFAP and
VEGF were measured and statically analyzed.
Results: RCCA occlusion resulted in morphological alterations in cerebral cortex of Group II. Significant increase in mean
area % of GFAP positive immunoreactivity and significant decrease in mean area % of VEGF positive immunoreactivity was
detected in this group as compared to Group I. Instead, the treated groups revealed amelioration in these changes. Significant
decrease in mean area % of GFAP positive immunoreactivity along with significant rise in mean area % of VEGF positive
immunoreactivity were detected in group V compared to other treated groups.
Conclusion: Administration of BM-MSCs-MVs recorded marked ameliorating effect in comparison to BM-MSCs and BMMSCs-
CM. Hence, it could be considered an ideal candidate as therapeutic agent in ischemic stroke.