Implantation of porcine amniotic epithelial cells model for myocardial infarction combined with cardiomyocyte therapy of pigs (Sus scrofa domestica)

Background: Myocardial infarction is the most common heart disorder in cardiovascular disease patients. Obstruction of blood flow to the heart causes ischemia and results in heart pump failure. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the effects of pAEC-based stem cell therapy alone and in combination with cardiomyocytes to understand its potential benefits in myocardial infarction treatment. Methods: In this study, we conducted myocardial infarction therapy using pluripotent stem cells derived from the amnion (AEC) implanted into the infarcted heart. Nine domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domestica), aged 3-4 months and weighing 35-40 kg, were used as models. The animal models were divided into three groups: the placebo myocardial infarction group, the myocardial infarction group treated with porcine Amniotic Epithelial Cells (pAEC) stem cells and the myocardial infarction group treated with amniotic epithelial stem cells combined with cardiomyocyte cells. Electrocardiography (ECG), Pulsed Wave (PW) Doppler, and biomarker examinations were performed to evaluate the effects of stem cell intervention on myocardial infarction. Results: Single pAEC stem cell therapy and its combination with cardiomyocytes in myocardial infarction lesions demonstrated improvements in VTI, particularly renal artery, mitral, and tricuspid valve compared to untreated infarction (placebo). Notably, single pAEC therapy significantly improved more than combining them with cardiomyocytes. Conclusion: Treatment with AEC stem cells alone resulted in more significant improvements in heart valve function and large blood vessels compared to combining AEC with cardiomyocytes. This study allowed us to understand better the effects of stem cell therapy on blood hemodynamics and biomarker parameters of heart injury. [Open Vet J 2025; 15(1.000): 98-107]