Vascular Permeability Changes in Experimental Diabetic Retinopathy, Under the Effect of Stem Cell Stimulation, in Rats

Objective: The purpose of this experiment was to determine the long-term effect of stem cell stimulator Olimpiq® StemXCell treatment on retinal vascular permeability and breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Methods: Male Whistar rats were divided into three groups. Two groups received a single intraperitoneal injection of Alloxan (125 mg/kg) – a specifically pancreatic beta cell-toxic substance, and the other control group received vehicle. The Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were treated with Olimpiq® StemXCell SL for 4 weeks, whereas controls were fed with standard lab chow. Permeability of blood-retinal barrier was measured by the extravasation of fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled bovine serum albimin (FITC-BSA).
Results: Six weeks subsequently to Alloxan treatment, a significantly elevated tissue fluorescence, vascular leakage, and BRB breakdown could be demonstrated in the diabetic group, compared to the non-diabetic group. Olimpiq® StemXCell SL treatment significantly decreased the BRB breakdown, tissue fluorescence, and vascular leakage, compared with the control, non-treated group. Long-term Olimpiq ® StemXCell SL treatment significantly decreased tissue fluorescence, vascular leakage, and the BRB breakdown. The mechanism for these effects may involve retinal vascular regeneration induced by stem cell stimulation. Blood glucose values were decreasing gradually, without significant differences between groups, therefore insulin secreting beta cell regeneration could not be demonstrated.
Conclusions: The results suggest that Olimpiq® StemXCell SL would be useful for treatment of ocular diseases associated with BRB leakage, such as diabetic macular edema and retinopathy.