1Resident of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
2Department of Digestive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
3Department of Plastic Surgery, Dr Kariadi General Hospital / Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
*Corresponding Author: Sigit Adi Prasetyo, Department of Digestive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
Received: 16th Dec, 2025; Revised: 8th Feb 2026; Accepted: 12th Feb, 2026; Available Online: 28th Feb, 2026
Background: Cirrhosis represents the end stage of chronic liver disease and remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While liver transplantation is the only curative option, limited donor availability and high costs restrict accessibility. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is often used to delay disease progression, but its regenerative capacity is limited. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their secretome have been proposed as novel therapies, primarily through their paracrine antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. Oxidative stress plays a central role in cholestasis, and catalase serves as a critical enzyme in counteracting hydrogen peroxide–induced injury. This study aimed to investigate the effect of human MSC-secretome (HuMSC-S) on catalase levels in a rat model of cholestasis.
Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats (200–250 g) underwent common bile duct ligation to induce cholestasis and were randomly assigned into four groups: K1 (control), K2 (UDCA 4.5 mg/week), K3 (HuMSC-S 0.2 ml/kg/week), and K4 (UDCA + HuMSC-S). Interventions were administered for 4 weeks. Catalase levels were measured using ELISA. Statistical analysis included Shapiro–Wilk for normality, one-way ANOVA, and post hoc LSD test.
Results: Catalase activity significantly differed among groups (p < 0.001). The control group (1.46 ± 0.06 U/mL) showed the lowest levels. UDCA increased catalase to 4.89 ± 0.16 U/mL, while HuMSC-S further enhanced it to 6.79 ± 0.41 U/mL. The combination group demonstrated the highest activity (7.99 ± 0.29 U/mL), significantly exceeding all other groups.
Conclusion: HuMSC-S administration significantly enhanced catalase levels in cholestatic rats, with the greatest effect achieved in combination with UDCA. These findings suggest a synergistic antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect, supporting the therapeutic potential of MSC-secretome as a promising adjunct to conventional therapy.
Keywords: Catalase; Mesenchymal stem cell secretome; Ursodeoxycholic acid; Cholestasis
How to cite this article: Purwanto NF, Prasetyo SA, Najatullah, Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome Increases Catalase In Wistar Rats With Cholestasis. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026; 16(2): 458-463; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.2.51
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None