Effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on vascular calcification in rats with adenine-induced kidney disease

Previous studies have investigated the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat damaged kidneys. However, the effect of adipose-derived MSCs (ASCs) on vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is still poorly understood. In the present study, we explored the potential of ASCs for the treatment of CKD and vascular calcification. CKD was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by feeding them a diet containing 0.75% adenine for 4 weeks. ASCs transplantation significantly reduced serum inorganic phosphorus (Pi) as compared to that in the control. The histopathology of the kidneys showed a greater dilation of tubular lumens and interstitial fibrosis in the control group. Calcium and Pi contents of the aorta in the ASCs transplantation group were lower than those in the control group. Von Kossa staining of the thoracic aorta media revealed that ASCs transplantation suppressed vascular calcification. Thus, this study revealed that autogenic ASCs transplantation inhibits kidney damage and suppresses the progression of vascular calcification in the CKD rat model, suggesting that autogenic ASCs transplantation is a novel approach for preventing the progression of CKD and vascular calcification.