Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a progressive inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Mesenchymal stem cells have immunomodulatory capabilities and probiotics may modify the pathophysiology of gut disorders and have positive effects on the gut microbiota
Aim of Work: Compare the effect of BM-MSCs versus probiotics on the treatment of acute colitis in adult male albino rats.
Material and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats weighed (200-220 gm) were equally divided into five groups. Group I (control). Group II (Acute colitis). Group III (recovery): sacrificed 14 days from induction of acute colitis (IAC). Group IV (Colitis + BM-MSCs): received a single injection of 1ml of phosphate buffer saline containing 1×106 BM-MSCs. Group V (colitis + Probiotic): received 1x109 CFU/ml/100 gm of b.w./day of Lactobacillus Plantarum orally. In groups IV and V, rats were treated three days after IAC and sacrificed 14 days after this induction.
Results: The acute colitis group showed mucosal ulceration, cellular infiltration, and decreased number of goblet cells. The area percentage of collagen and TNF-α immune stain revealed a significant increase while the area percentage of PCNA-positive nuclei immune stain significantly decreased. The recovery group showed incomplete recovery of these structural changes. The histological architecture of the colon was restored following the treatment with stem cells and probiotics.
Conclusion Treatment with stem cells or probiotics restored the integrity of the colonic mucosa in a rat model of acute colitis. Probiotics therapy was superior to stem cell therapy as evidenced by allowing rapid division and differentiation of stem cells into goblet cells that form mucous barriers.