RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of bone marrow-derived cells in tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMC) transplantation in a mouse model of acute renal failure (ARF) induced by mercuric chloride. METHODS: BMMC was isolated from male BALB/c mice and injected into female mice treated with a lethal dose (LD90) of mercuric chloride. Survival rate, histopathological analysis, and assessment of urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, and mercury levels were carried out. RESULTS: Cellular therapy with BMMC significantly reduced the mortality induced by mercuric chloride (p < 0.05). This finding correlated with a decrease in serum levels of urea (p = 0.04) and potassium (p < 0.01). However, no differences in renal morphology were observed when BMMC-treated and control group were compared. CONCLUSION: Transplanted BMMC improve renal function and reduce mortality and, therefore, may represent a new therapeutic alternative to treat ARF.