The Effect of Endometrial Stem Cells with Pomalidomide on Serum Glutathione and Lipids in 6-OHDA Induced Rat Model of Parkinson

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disease with no identified effective treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of human endometrial stem cells with the anti-inflammatory drug pomalidomide on glutathione (GSH) and serum lipids (total cholesterol,TC and low density lipoprotein, LDL)) in the Parkinson’s model in male Wistar rats. Male rats were randomly assigned to five groups (8 animals in each group) including: control, Parkinson’s, and 3 experimental Parkinson’s groups receiving stem cells, pomalidomide, and a combination of stem cells and pomalidomide. Parkinson’s was induced by injection of 6-hydroxy dopamine (concentration 6 μg) in the striatum by stereotaxic method. In the fourth week after surgery, the three experimental groups were treated with  4 mg/kg/daily of pomalidomide, 100,000  stem cells through intranasal route, and a combination of pomalidomide at a dose of 4 mg/kg/daily and 100,000 stem cells. At the end of day 28, blood samples were taken from the groups and factors were measured. The results revealed a significant increase in glutathione among the treated groups compared to the Parkinson’s group. There was also a significant decrease in glutathione in Parkinson’s group compared to the control group. Comparison between Parkinson’s group and the group treated with pomalidomide and endometrial stem cells showed a significant reduction in cholesterol. Moreover, LDL levels showed a significant decrease in LDL levels in the treated groups compared to the Parkinson’s group. Considering the improvement of the measured factors in Parkinson’s rat, allogeneic stem cells can be used as a potential source along with pomalidomide in future research for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.