Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Chronic Kidney Disease via NADPH Oxidase

Ezgi Akan 1, Dijle Kipmen-Korgun 2 * , Emin Türkay Korgun 3, Mehmet Sakinci 4
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1 Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Amasya University, Amasya, Turkey
2 Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
3 Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
* Corresponding Author
J CLIN MED KAZ, Volume 23, Issue 4, pp. 25-32. https://doi.org/10.23950/jcmk/19035
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Author Contributions: Conceptualization, D.K.K.; methodology, D.K.K. and E.A.; validation, D.K.K., E.A. and E.T.K.; formal analysis, E.A.; investigation, E.A. and E.T.K.; resources, D.K.K.; data curation, E.A.; writing – original draft preparation, E.A.; writing – review and editing, D.K.K. and E.T.K.; visualization, E.A.; supervision, D.K.K.; project administration, D.K.K.; funding acquisition, D.K.K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Data availability statement: All raw data underlying the findings of this study can be obtained from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Disclosure Statement: Artificial intelligence was used to translate and edit the text to improve its readability in English, ensure efficient work under human supervision.

ABSTRACT

Abstract
Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by progressive and irreversible loss of renal function, largely driven by glomerular and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Oxidative stress, particularly through excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated by NADPH oxidases (NOX), plays a central role in renal inflammation and fibrotic progression. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on oxidative stress and fibrosis in a nephrectomy-induced CKD rat model.
Methods: CKD was induced in rats by surgical nephrectomy. Human placenta-derived MSCs were administered following CKD induction. Renal tissues were analyzed for oxidative stress parameters, including ROS, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and NADPH oxidase-4 (NOX4), as well as fibrosis-related markers such as fibronectin, collagen IV, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Outcomes were compared between experimental groups.
Results: MSC treatment significantly reduced ROS, H₂O₂, and NOX4 levels, indicating attenuation of oxidative stress. In addition, fibrosis-related markers, including fibronectin, collagen IV, and α-SMA, were markedly decreased in the MSC-treated group, suggesting improvement in renal fibrotic changes.
Conclusion: Human placenta-derived MSCs exert protective effects against oxidative stress and fibrosis in experimental CKD. These findings support the potential of MSC-based therapies as a promising regenerative approach for slowing CKD progression and warrant further investigation.
Keywords: mesenchymal stem cells, chronic kidney disease, NADPH oxidase 4, oxidative stress, renal fibrosis

CITATION

Akan E, Kipmen-Korgun D, Korgun ET, Sakinci M. Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Chronic Kidney Disease via NADPH Oxidase. J CLIN MED KAZ. 2026;23(4):25-32. https://doi.org/10.23950/jcmk/19035

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