The Possible Therapeutic Effect of Adipose Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and N-Acetyl cysteine on Bleomycin Induced Lung Fibrosis in Adult Male Albino Rats: Histological and Immuno-histochemical Study

: Background: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic fibrotic lung disease. Lung parenchyma and architecture is destroyed, compliance is lost, and gas exchange is compromised in this debilitating condition that leads to respiratory failure. NAC is a precursor of L-cysteine that results in glutathione elevation biosynthesis. It acts directly as a scavenger of free radicals, especially oxygen radicals. This study aimed to evaluate the possible therapeutic effect of Adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on induced lung fibrosis in adult male albino rats. Methods: Ten rats were used to isolated adipose-derived stem cells and sixty rats were randomly divided into five groups. Group I (control group: 20 rats), Group II (affected group:10 rats), Group III (Adipose stem cell group: 10 rats), Group Iv (N-acetylcystiene group:10 rats) and Group v (Adipose stem cell + NAC group: 10 rats). Specimens taken and histological studies, immunohistochemical and morphometric study were performed. Results: Group II showed markedly thickened inter-alveolar septa with extensive cellular infiltration and many collapsed alveoli. There was massive lymphocytic infiltration around bronchiolar wall. There was a significant decrease (P<0.01) in collagen fibers accumulation in group III, IV and V compared with group II. There was a significant increased (P>0.01) in Ki67 expression in group III, IV & V compared to group I. Conclusion: This work concluded that each of N-acetylcysteine and Adipose-Derived Stem Cells can ameliorate bleomycin induced lung toxicity, but their co-administration can give better results. The use of adipose tissue-derived stem cells with N-acetylcysteine showed marked reduction in the Bleomycin toxicity and significant improvement of bleomycin induced lung fibrosis