Background:
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that results in recurrent inflammation and ulcers of the colon and rectum.
Aim:
The aim of the study was to explore the possible therapeutic effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and vitamin E on experimentally induced UC in rats.
Materials and methods:
Sixty rats were divided into four main groups: group I (control group); group II (UC) consisted of 10 rats that received a single intrarectal injection of 2 ml of 3% acetic acid; group ΙIΙ (10 rats) consisted of rats that received vitamin E three times in a week orally after induction of ulcerative colitis; group ΙV consisted of 10 rats that received a single injection of BM-MSCs after induction of ulcerative colitis ; and group V comprised 10 rats that received both vitamin E orally and BM-MSCs after induction of colitis. Colonic samples were examined using light and fluorescent microscopy.
Results:

Group ΙI showed ulceration, loss of surface columnar epithelium, disturbed crypts architecture with few goblet cells and many cellular infiltrations. Group III showed a picture that was nearly similar to UC group. Group IV showed improvement in colitis. Group V showed a histological picture that was nearly similar to the control group.
Conclusions:
BM-MSCs represent future therapeutic hopes for chronic intestinal inflammatory states through their regenerative and anti-inflammatory effects. The combination of vitamin E and BM-MSCs was more effective and produced an additive effect than using bone marrow derived MSCs alone.