Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell and simvastatin treatment leads to improved functional recovery and modified c-Fos expression levels in the brain following ischemic stroke

Objectives: The beneficial outcomes of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) treatment on functional recovery following stroke has been well established. Furthermore, 5-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors have also been shown to increase neuronal survival and promote the movement of BMSCs towards the sites of inflammation. However, the precise mechanisms mediating the improved neurological functional recovery in stoke models following a combination treatment of Simvastatin and BMSCs still remained poorly understood.

Materials and methods: Here, an embolic stroke model was used to experimentally induce a focal ischemic brain injury by inserting a preformed clot into the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Following stroke, animals were treated either with an intraperitoneal injection of Simvastatin, an intravenous injection of 3 ×106 BMSCs, or a combination of these two treatments.

Results: Seven days after ischemia, the combination of Simvastatin and BMSCs led to a significant increase in BMSC relocation, endogenous neurogenesis, arteriogenesis and astrocyte activation while also reducing neuronal damage when compared to BMSC treatment alone (P<0.001 for all). In addition, based on western blot analysis, following stroke there was a significant decrease in c-Fos expression (P<0.001) in the combination treatment group.

Conclusion: These results further demonstrate the synergistic benefits of a combination treatment and help to improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms mediating this beneficial effect.