Journal of North Khorasan

Background & Objective: Stroke is the third cause of death in the world. Today cell therapy with BMSC is one of the most common treatment methods for treatment of stroke. Green tea has a component named epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG) which has antioxidant effects. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of BMSC and EGCG co-administration on rat’s middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion.

Materials and Methods: Male wistar rats (n=40) were divided into five groups including: Ischemia, vehicle, EGCG, BMSC, and EGCG+ BMSC. The left MCA was occluded in all groups using electrocoagulation method. Twenty-four hours after ischemia, animals in vehicle and BMSC groups received PBS and BMSCs via the tail vein, respectively. Animals in EGCG group received EGCG and in EGCG+ BMSC group received both cells and antioxidant. The cells were labeled with Brdu before transplantation. IHC was used to identify BMSCs, and TTC staining was performed for infracted volume measurement. Moreover, behavioral tests were performed for neurological assessment.

Results: The infarcted volume and neurological deficits were significantly decreased and functional recovery increased in treatment groups in comparison with the ischemic group (P<0.001). These alternations were higher in EGCG+ BMSC group.

Conclusion: Injection of BMSC and EGCG and co-administration of them in experimental model of stroke can lead to reduction of infracted volume, neurological disorders, and functional recovery improvement. These alternations were higher in EGCG+ BMSC group.