Mesenchymal stem cells: a novel therapeutic approach for feline inflammatory bowel disease

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represents a significant and escalating global health challenge, affecting humans and domestic cats alike. Research on feline IBD has needed to improve despite its widespread prevalence in human populations. This study aimed to develop a model of feline IBD by incorporating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to evaluate the therapeutic potential of MSCs and to elucidate the mechanisms that promote their action.Methods: We conducted a comprehensive clinical assessment, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopy, and histopathological examination. Additionally, intestinal microbiota alterations were characterized by 16S rDNA sequencing, and the influence of MSCs on IBD-related gene expression was probed via transcriptome analysis.