The effect of rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells transplantation for restoration of olfactory disorder

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation on olfactory epithelium (OE) of morphologic and functional restoration following neural Sensorineural Disorder in rats. Except the Normal group, twenty-one rats underwent Triton X-100 (TX-100) irrigation to induce degeneration of OE, and then BMSCs and PBS were treated from the both medial canthus to the rear part of the both nasal cavity into the experimental group and then were observed for restoration according to time point. At two and four weeks after transplantation with BMSCs, restoration of OE was observed with olfactory marker protein (OMP) and behavioral test. And we observed the expression of OMP, nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). After TX-100 irrigation, the OE almost disappeared in 3 days. At four weeks after transplantation with BMSCs, the thickness and cellular composition of OE was considerably restored to normal group and expression of OMP was markedly increased when compared with PBS group and reduced the searching time in the behavioral test. Furthermore at two weeks after treatment with BMSCs, expression of NGF and BDNF was greatly increased when compared with PBS group. However at four weeks after treatment with BMSCs, expression of NGF and BDNF was slightly decreased. Our results suggest the BMSCs transplantation affect restoration of OE and olfaction, most likely via regulation of the neurotrophic factor expression, especially the expression of NGF and BDNF and has a possibility of a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of olfactory disorder caused by the degeneration of OE.