Abstract:

Objective      To detect the survival of Y chromosome labeled bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs), harvested from male rats, in the ischemic myocardium of female rats. Methods      MSCs from the male rats were isolated and cultured in vitro by the whole bone marrow adherence method. Myocardial infarction(MI) was induced by occluding the left anterior descending artery in the female rats. Two weeks after the MI, the MSCs were transfused into MI rats through the epicardium(group A, n=15) or caudal vein(group B, n=15), while equivalent culture medium was transfused into the control group(group C, n=15). Real-time PCR was used to detect the SRY gene which is a specific marker of Y chromosome of male rats 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks after the transplantation. Results       The SRY gene was detected in both approaches of transplantation. Left heart functions in group A and group B were obviously improved compared with those of the control group. Conclusion     Y chromosome labeled MSCs, transplanted intravenously or epicardially, can migrate into the ischemic myocardium to exert their protective effects on the heart.

Key words: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells; Myocardial infarction; Models, animal; Y chromosome; Cell transplantation; Rat, Wistar