Myopathies are diseases of skeletal muscle, in which there is a primary functional or
structural impairment. No standard therapeutic guidelines exist. The use of stem cells
may provide dramatic advances in their treatment.
Aim
The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential therapeutic effect of bone marrow
mesenchymal stem cells introduced through two different routes, intravenous and
intramuscular, on experimentally induced myopathy in rats.
Materials and methods
Sixty adult male rats were divided into five groups. Group I served as the control
group. Group II (the myopathy group) rats were given a daily oral dose of simvastatin
for 6 weeks. Group III (the intramuscular stem cell group) rats were given a daily
oral dose of simvastatin for 6 weeks and then a single stem cell injection was
administered intramuscularly. Group IV (the intravenous stem cell group) rats were
given a daily oral dose of simvastatin for 6 weeks and then a single stem cell injection
was administered intravenously. Group V (the recovery group) rats were given a daily
oral dose of simvastatin for 6 weeks and were left without treatment for 2 weeks.
Gastrocnemius muscle samples were processed and examined using histological and
immunohistochemical techniques.
Results
The myopathy group showed disruption of muscle fibers with loss of striation.
Separated muscle fibers with areas of myofibril loss were seen. Disrupted
mitochondria, collagen fiber accumulation, and marked caspase-3 immune reactivity
were noticed. The intramuscular stem cell group showed histological architecture
similar to the control group, except for a slight separation of the myofibril bundles. The
intravenous stem cell group showed small areas of muscle fiber destruction and loss
of myofibrils. The recovery group showed picture similar to group II.
Conclusion
Mesenchymal stem cells administered either intramuscularly or intravenously have
therapeutic potentials for statin-induced myopathy. However, intramuscular route is
more effective.