Effect of locally transplanted bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells on the lingual filiform and fungiform papillae of ovariectomized albino rat model.

BACKGROUND: Taste alteration and burning mouth syndrome are major irritating oral disturbances during menopause. Stem cell-based therapy exhibits high regenerative potential in the disturbances of the maxillofacial region. The aim of the current study is to investigate the possible effectiveness of transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on the altered filiform and fungiform papillae of the ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Seventy-eight female albino rats were classified into 3 groups; sham operated rat (group I), ovariectomized rat (group II), ovariectomized rats treated with BM-MSC (group III) groups. The animals in each group were further subdivided equally into 2 subgroups (a & b) according to the date of euthanasia (one-and two-months post treatment), (n = 13) per subgroup. For statistical analysis, Kruskal Wallis test was done for comparing the 3 experimental groups followed by Post Hoc Dunn´s multiple comparison test for pairwise comparison. The injected BM-MSCs were immunophenotyped for CD90, CD44 and CD45. The bone mineral density (BMD) of rats´ femur was assessed. The tongue specimens were assessed using Hematoxylin and Eosin stain (H&E), Masson trichrome stain, histomorphometry and scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: Ovariectomized animals revealed low BMD compared to their controls. The lingual papilla depicted abnormal histology and surface structure. In addition, the height, area of connective tissue papillae and collagen area %, were reduced, and the keratin thickness of the inferior lingual epithelium was decreased. The BM-MSC treated group revealed promoted recovery of the regular filiform and fungiform papillary architecture, normal surface structure and histomorphometry. CONCLUSIONS: Transplanted BM-MSCs promoted the recovery of the normal architecture of the lingual papillae of ovariectomized animals and may present a promising therapeutic option in modifying the lingual mucosal alteration caused by ovariectomy.