Evaluation of the effect of an intradermal injection of Wharton\'s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells in diabetic wound healing in animal model

Background: The application of mesenchymal stem cells in the healing of chronic wounds is one of the most challenging issues in cell therapy. The present study investigated the efficacy of intradermal injection of umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells in diabetic wound healing using ultrasound imaging in an animal model. Methods: During this experimental laboratory study that was performed in the Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences between October 2017 and October 2016, mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from umbilical cord Wharton's jelly of 10 neonates. The cells were passage. The differentiation potential of cells to osteocyte and adipose cells was evaluated. The expression of specific markers of mesenchymal stem cells was evaluated using flow cytometry. The viability and quality of cells were evaluated before transplantation. The diabetes model was developed by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin in 42 male Wistar rats. The animals were randomly divided into two groups: normal saline injection (control) and cell injection. Cell transplantation was performed intradermally. Skin thickness and density were assessed using ultrasound imaging on days 7, 14 and 21. Finally, the data were analyzed using a t-test and analysis of variance. Results: Injection of mesenchymal stem cells caused faster closing of the wound. The results of biometric measurement of wound skin in rats showed that skin thickness and density on days 7, 14 and 21 in the Wharton jelly mesenchymal stem cell injection group had a significant increase compared to the control group. Conclusion: The results of cell analysis showed that the isolated cells are the same as mesenchymal stem cells. The cells were of the required health and quality. Intradermal injection of mesenchymal stem cells in diabetic wound area caused faster healing in diabetic rats, according to which, such stem cells can be considered in cell therapy, especially in the field of chronic wound healing.