Clinical study on mesenchymal stem cell factors therapy for Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), characterized by cognitive decline, lacked effective cures. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) factors (MSCFs) offered a new approach by promoting brain tissue repair and modulating immune responses, presenting a promising alternative to AD treatment with minimal risks.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of MSCF on AD and to compare the effects with traditional MSC treatments.

Methods: Sixty patients were divided into control and observation groups, with 30 cases in each group. The control group were injected intravenously with 10 mL of MSCs (5.0 × 109 L‑1) plus 100 mL normal saline (once every 5 days for six consecutive treatments). The observation group received intramuscular injections of 0.5 mL (1 mL for the first dose) of MSCF (every other day for 15 consecutive treatments). Amyloid‑β 42 (Aβ42)
and Tau protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid were determined by ELISA pretreatment and at 1, 3, and 6 months’ post‑treatment. The Clinical Dementia Rating of AD patients was recorded at these intervals to evaluate treatment efficacy.

Results: Aβ42 levels increased, and Tau protein levels decreased in both groups. The CDR score dropped post treatment. The total effective rate and clinical cure rate were 86.67% and 6.70% in the control group and 100% and 40% in the observation group, respectively. MSCF and MSCs uniquely impact AD.

Conclusion: MSCs contributed to damaged nerve cell repair, new nerve cell differentiation, and the participation of some dormant nerve cells in physiological activity. MSCF offered a small‑dose, rapid, and safe treatment with simple operation.