Estradiol protects adipose tissue-derived stem cells against H2O2-induced toxicity

Oxidative stress is associated with various pathophysiological processes, including cell survival, adhesion, apoptosis, and cancer. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of H2O2-induced toxicity on adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and whether 17ß-estradiol (E2) has protective effects on these cells. ADSCs derived from adult Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with different doses of E2 for 24 h and then exposed to 200 µM H2O2 for 4 h. Incubation of ADSCs with H2O2-decreased cell viability in a concentration-dependent fashion (p < 0.0001), whereas pretreatment of these cells with E2 significantly reversed toxicity (p < 0.05), inhibited apoptotic changes, and decreased lipid peroxidation (p < 0.0005). Our findings suggest that E2 protects ADSCs from oxidative-induced cell death, and therefore, it may be used to improve the survival rate and regenerative capacity of stem cells. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.