Beneficial effects of mesenchymal stem cells treated with low frequency magnetic fields in a rat model of Parkinson's disease: Evaluation of rotation test and serum BDNF levels

The use of stem cells is one of the ideal methods in treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Recently, low-frequency magnetic fields have been used for differentiation and reproduction of stem cells. In this study, we used electromagnetic fields (EMF) impact on bone marrow stem cells and evaluated its effect on the serum levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophic factor with decreased expression in PD. Thirty six male wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: control, PD, PD implanted with stem cells exposed to 40 or 400 microtesla EMFs, implanted with stem cells without EMF exposure and vehicle. Parkinson model was induced by injection of 4 µg neurotoxin 6- OHDA into the left striatum. Stem cells were injected in left lateral ventricle. Injection of mesenchymal stem cells exposed to 40 and 400 microtesla EMFs significantly reduced amphetamine-induced rotation activity and increased serum BDNF levels in rats. The effect of 400 microtesla EMF was considerably higher than that of 40 microtesla EMF. There was not any significant difference between the effects of mesenchymal cells with 40 microtesla exposure and those without any exposure on the rotation test and serum BDNF levels. Bone marrow stem cells exposed to 400 microtesla EMF considerably reduced amphetamine-induced rotation activity and increased the serum levels of BDNF in rat.