Background
To prevail over diabetes mellitus and its numerous complications, researchers are seeking new therapies. Exosomes are natural cargo of functional proteins and can be used as a therapeutic delivery of these molecules.
Conclusion
BM-MSC-derived exosomes could be a novel therapeutic strategy for diabetic complications involving salivary glands.
Methods
Ten adult healthy male Albino rats, weighing about 150-200 g were grouped into 2 groups. Diabetic group I: consisted of 5 streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Exosomes treated group II: consisted of 5 STZ-induced diabetic rats, each animal received a single injection of exosomes (100 μg/kg/dose suspended in 0.2 ml PBS) through the tail vein. All animals were sacrificed after 5 weeks from the beginning of the experiment. Submandibular salivary gland samples were excised and processed for histological, ultrastructural examination and PCR for TGFβ, Smad2 and Smad3. Blood glucose level was monitored weekly, salivary IgA and serum amylase were evaluated before and after diabetes induction and at the end of the experiment.
Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) as a therapeutic intervention in salivary gland diabetic complications.
Results
Histological and ultrastructural results of the exosomes treated group were promising regarding the glandular and ductal elements with less fibrosis observed. Results of PCR supported the role of exosomes to inhibit the diabetic sequalae in salivary gland and its complications through inhibiting TGFβ and its related pathway via Smad2 and Smad3. Blood glucose levels were reduced. In addition, salivary glands' function was improved as evidenced by reduction in serum amylase and salivary IgA.