Hematological and Immunological Effects of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in Wistar Rats

Esmael, Ghassan Khudhair; Mahmood Majeed, Noor

doi:10.30491/jabr.2026.591715.2030

Hematological and Immunological Effects of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in Wistar Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Ghassan Khudhair Esmael ¹

Noor Mahmood Majeed ²

¹ College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Qadisiyah, Iraq

² Branch of Basic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Qadisiyah, Iraq

10.30491/jabr.2026.591715.2030

Abstract

Introduction: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration and progressive destruction of thyroid tissue, resulting in hypothyroidism. Current management primarily relies on hormone replacement and does not target the underlying autoimmune process. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) on hematological and immunological alterations in experimentally induced HT in Wistar rats.
Materials and Methods: Forty female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 10 per group): an HT group, an HT group treated with ADMSCs, an ADMSC-only group, and a healthy control group. HT was induced by subcutaneous administration of porcine thyroglobulin emulsified with Freund’s adjuvants. Disease induction was confirmed by measuring anti-thyroglobulin antibody (Anti-Tg Ab) and thyroid hormone levels. Hematological indices, thyroid function tests, and inflammatory and immunoregulatory biomarkers were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: The HT group exhibited significantly higher Anti-Tg Ab and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, lower free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) concentrations, impaired hematological parameters, and elevated inflammatory biomarkers compared with controls. ADMSC treatment reduced Anti-Tg Ab and TSH levels, restored FT3 and FT4 concentrations, improved hematological indices, decreased inflammatory markers, and increased immunoregulatory biomarkers toward control values.
Conclusions: ADMSCs attenuated autoimmune and inflammatory responses, improved thyroid function, and ameliorated hematological and immunological alterations in experimental HT. These findings support the potential of ADMSCs as a regenerative and immunomodulatory therapeutic strategy for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Keywords

Hashimoto Disease

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Adipose Tissue

Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Wistar Rats