title: Effect of stem cell therapy on amiodarone induced fibrosing interstitial lung disease in albino rat.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The fibrosing forms of interstitial lung disease (ILD) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. ILD may be idiopathic, secondary to occupational, infection, complicate rheumatic diseases or drug induced. Efficacy of antifibrotic agents is as far as, limited and uncertain. No effective treatment was confirmed for pulmonary fibrosis except lung transplantation. The present study aimed at investigating the possible effect of human cord blood mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy on fibrosing ILD. This was accomplished by using amiodarone as a model of induced lung damage in albino rat.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen adult male albino rats were divided into 3 groups. Rats of amiodarone group were given 30 mg/kg of amiodarone orally 6 days/ week for 6 weeks. Rats of stem cell therapy group were injected with stem cells in the tail vein following confirmation of lung damage and left for 4 weeks before sacrifice. Obstructed bronchioles, thickened interalveolar septa and thickened wall of pulmonary vessels were found and proved morphometrically. Reduced type I pneumocytes and increased area% of collagen fibers were recorded. All findings regressed on stem cell therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cord blood MSC therapy proved definite amelioration of fibrosing interstitial lung disease provided therapy starts early in the development of the pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Histology Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University.
authors.forename: Somaya Saad
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Zaglool
authors.forename: Maha Baligh
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Zickri
authors.forename: Dalia Hussein
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Abd El Aziz
authors.forename: Doaa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mabrouk
authors.forename: Hala Gabr
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Metwally
keywords: Amiodarone; Cord blood; Interstitial lung disea; Lung; Mesenchymal stem cells