Background and purpose: Chronic non-healing diabetic wounds are a major medical challenge worldwide. Stem cell therapy has been developed as a new approach in the management of such wounds that need to be explored further. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the effects of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) on gene expression level of some important inflammatory factors involved in wound healing in diabetic animal model.

Materials and methods: ADSCs were isolated from adipose tissue of mice and their stemness was identified in terms of specific cell surface markers (CD44, CD90, and CD34) and multi-lineage differentiation potentials. Then 10⁶ stem cells were injected in dermis area around the wounds and the wound tissues were tested for the expression level of IL-8 and IL-10 genes and histopathological analysis at 3^rd, 7^th, 14^th, and 21^st days after treatment.

Results: Expression level of IL-10 gene at days 3, 14 and 21 increased significantly (P <0.05) in the stem cell treated wound tissues compared to that in non-diabetic and diabetic groups without treatment. The expression of IL-8 gene showed reduction at days 7, 14, and 21 in the same treated tissues. Histopathological examination indicated that administration of stem cells led to skin appendages, lack of inflammation in the wound tissue, granulation tissue appearance, and a stronger overall healing.

Conclusion: The present study indicated that stem cells could improve the indicators of wound healing.