Intravenous vs intraperitoneal mesenchymal stem cells administration: What is the best route for treating experimental colitis?

Figure 5 Treatment with mesenchymal stem cells can modulate colonic inflammatory responses in dextran sulfate sodium-induced acute colitis. There was a tendency for MSC treatment to increase levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-4. Acute DSS colitis demonstrated significantly elevated IL-6 levels, as well as a trend toward higher levels of TNF. Treatment with MSCs appears to decrease the levels of these pro-inflammatory cytokines. IFN levels in the DSS-MSC IV group were significantly higher than in the DSS-MSC IP group. Levels of IL-2 and IL-17 were similar between the groups. ^bP < 0.01 vs Naive group; ^dP < 0.01 vs DSS-MSC IV group, n = 5 mice/group. DSS: Dextran sulfate sodium; MSC: Mesenchymal stem cell; IL: Interleukin; TNF: Tumor necrosis factor.