The effect of miRNA-30 transferred mesenchymal stem cell application on liver damage in rats with ligated common bile duct

Damage to the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts causes inflammation and fibrosis due to stasis. The aim of treatment in fibrosis is to reduce, stop or reverse progression. The use of stem cells in the treatment of fibrosis has given positive results in pre-clinical and clinical studies and current studies are aimed at increasing the effect of stem cells. miRNA-30D-5p has been shown to reduce fibrosis in different tissues except liver in many studies. Therefore, miRNA-30D-5p was preferred in our study to enhance the effect of human wharton gel-derived stem cells (IWJ-MKCs) in liver fibrosis. In the experimental model, 32 male Wistar Albino rats were divided into 4 groups. The abdomen of group I rats (sham) was closed after laparotomy. In group II (SCL) rats, the common bile duct was ligated after laparotomy. Group III (SKL+HWJ-MKH) rats received stem cells from the tail vein two weeks after the common bile duct was ligated. Group IV (SKL+ HWJ-MKH+miRNA-30D-5p) rats received miRNA-30D-5p transfected stem cells from the tail vein two weeks after ligation of the common bile duct. All groups were sacrificed 4 weeks after laparotomy and liver and blood samples were taken. AST, ALT, ALP and DB were determined from the blood sample. Liver tissue was examined histopathologically under light microscope. In addition, liver tissue HGF, MDA and albumin levels were measured by ELISA method. In the results of the study; AST, ALT, DB, albumin, HGF and MDA levels were the statistically significant parameters that supported that miRNA-30D-5p increased the effect of stem cells.Histopathologically significant parameters were necrotic cells, focal hepatocellular damage and improvement in karyolysis. The overall results of our study suggest that the use of miRNA-30D-5p would be a good option to increase stem cell effect. Further pre-clinical and clinical studies are needed to support its accuracy.