Green Tea Extract and Human Breast Milk –Mesenchymal Stem Cells Versus Human Breast Milk –Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alone in Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy in Adult Male Albino Rat

Background: Human breast milk stem cells (hBSCs) are a new option in regenerative medicine. Diabetes retinopathy is a common health problem in Egypt. Green tea extract (GTE) shows antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The goal of this research is to differentiate between the effect of green tea extract and human breast milk stem cells (hBSCs) versus hBSCs alone in treating diabetic retinopathy in rats. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups: group I (the control group), group II (the diabetic group), group III (Diabetic group treated with hBSCs), group IV (diabetic group treated with hBSCs + GTE). We assessed malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities in the retina. Gene expressions of BCL2, BAX and, GPX1 were assessed. Histological examination of the retinal tissues using H&E stain, and immnuohistochemical staining with caspase3, glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Morphometric and statistical analyses were performed. Results: In the diabetic group, blood glucose and tissue MDA level was increased and SOD and CAT activities were decreased. There was congestion, gliosis, and increased apoptosis. Gene expression of BAX was increased, whereas gene expression of BCL2 and GPX1 was decreased. Serum TNF-ɑ and IL-6 were elevated. Group III and group IV showed amelioration of these changes with better improvement in group IV than group III. Conclusion: Combining green tea extract with human breast milk mesenchymal stem cells improved the serological, biochemical, and histological alterations in the retina of diabetic rats.