Intranasal administration of human adipose-derived stem cell-conditioned media ameliorates cognitive performance in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-related disorder, characterized by the gradual loss of memory and cognitive function owing to neuronal damage and brain shrinkage. This study aimed to investigate how intranasal injection of human adipose-derived stem cell-conditioned media (hADSC-CM) ameliorates cognitive performance and affects the level of estrogen receptor beta (Erβ) in the hippocampus of rats in an AD model.

A total of 32 male rats were divided into four groups, including the control, AD model, hADSC-CM, and vehicle groups. The Morris water maze was used to assess the animals’ behavioral changes. Moreover, Nissl and Thioflavin-S staining were performed to evaluate the histology of the hippocampus. Immunohistochemistry was also carried out to evaluate the expression level of Erβ. 

The intranasal injection of hADSC-CM improved the rats’ cognitive performance by reducing the number of dark cells and beta-amyloid plaques in the hippocampus in the AD model. Besides, the intranasal injection of hADSC-CM increased the level of Erβ in this model.

The present findings indicated that the intranasal injection of hADSC-CM ameliorated cognitive function. Amyloid plaques and dark cells also diminished in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. Moreover, the expression level of ERβ increased. It can be concluded that hADSC-CM has significant treatment benefits for AD in rats.