Fig. 8.
MSC transplantation modulates cytokine expression in the spinal cord of mice with diabetic neuropathy. Four weeks after the neuropathy induction, mice were treated with MSC (1 × 106; STZ + MSC) or saline (STZ + saline) via endovenous route. Control group received saline instead of streptozotocin. Spinal cytokine levels were evaluated before, 2 and 8 weeks after treatments. Panels show the spinal levels of a interleukin-1β (IL-1β), b tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), c interleukin-10 (IL-10), and d transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). The results are expressed as picograms of cytokine per milligram of protein. Data are expressed as means ± SEM; n = 6 mice per group. *Statistically significant as compared to the control group (p < 0.001). #Statistical significance in relation to the STZ + saline group (p < 0.05). One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test