Evaluation of Aβ Deposits in the Hippocampus of a Rat Model of Alzheimer’s Disease After Intravenous Injection of Human Adipose Derived Stem Cells by Immuno- and Thioflavin S-Costaining

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neuropsychiatric disorder that gradually impairs memory and behavioral functions. Amyloid beta (Aβ) is considered as the most toxic substance in the brain of AD patients.

The present study was designed to evaluate Aβ deposits by Immuno- and Thioflavin S-costaining in the hippocampus of a rat model of AD after intravenous injection of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs).

Thirty-two male rats were included in the four groups of control, sham, AD and hADSCs. The hADSCs characterization was confirmed by the flow cytometry technique. Immuno- and Thioflavin S-costaining was utilized for detecting Aβ plaques in the hippocampus of a rat model of AD following injection of hADSCs.

Statistical analysis revealed that Aβ plaques increased significantly in the AD group compared to the control and sham groups. The administration of hADSCs significantly decreased immunoreactivity and Thio-S-positive plaques in the AD group. We also found that the plaques detected by anti-Aβ antibody (immunohistochemical staining) were significantly more than those distinguished by Thioflavin-S in all the groups.

Results showed that hADSCs played an effective role in decreasing amyloids aggregation following migration to the hippocampus of the rat model of AD.