Abstract: This study compared the cardioprotective action of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and
PUFAs in a rat model of gentamicin (GM)-induced cardiac degeneration. Male Wistar albino rats
were randomized into four groups of eight rats each: group I (control group), group II (gentamicintreated
rats receiving gentamicin intraperitoneally (IP) at dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 10 consecutive
days), group III (gentamicin and PUFA group receiving gentamicin IP at dose of 100 mg/kg/day
for 10 consecutive days followed by PUFAs at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks), and group
IV (gentamicin and MSC group receiving gentamicin IP at dose of 100 mg/kg/day followed by a
single dose of MSCs (1 106)/rat IP). Cardiac histopathology was evaluated via light and electron
microscopy. Immunohistochemical detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), caspase-3
(apoptosis), Bcl2, and Bax expression was performed. Moreover, cardiac malonaldehyde (MDA)
content, catalase activity, and oxidative stress parameters were biochemically evaluated. Light and
electron microscopy showed that both MSCs and PUFAs had ameliorative effects. Their actions
were mediated by upregulating PCNA expression, downregulating caspase-3 expression, mitigating
cardiac MDA content, catalase activity, and oxidative stress parameters. MSCs and PUFAs had
ameliorative effects against gentamicin-induced cardiac degeneration, with MSCs showing higher
efficacy compared to PUFAs.