Estradiol protects adipose tissue-derived stem cells against H(2) O(2) -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 17β‐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. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:301–307, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/jbt.21421