Abstract

Background. Acute cerebrovascular accidents remain one of the leading causes of mortality and long-term disability. Current therapeutic approaches do not provide sufficient control of neuroinflammation, which necessitates the search for effective corrective strategies. A promising direction involves the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in combination with antioxidants, particularly resveratrol, which potentiates the neuroprotective properties of MSCs. Aim: to investigate the dynamics of cytokine concentration changes during the acute and early recovery periods of experimental ischemic stroke under the influence of MSCs and their combination with resveratrol. Materials and methods. A model of focal cerebral ischemia was reproduced according to the E.Z. Longa et al. method (1989). Serum levels of pro-inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β1) cytokines, as well as β-endorphin, were determined using ELISA. Animals were divided into three groups: no treatment, MSCs, and combined MSCs + resveratrol therapy. Corrective interventions were administered once daily. Results. MSC monotherapy produced a moderate decrease in pro- and partially anti-inflammatory cytokines during the acute and early recovery phases. Combined therapy resulted in a statistically significant and more pronounced reduction in IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1, and β-endorphin levels, indicating suppression of cytokine cascade hyperactivation and normalization of the immune microenvironment. Conclusion. Combined treatment with MSCs and resveratrol provides substantially greater attenuation of the neuroinflammatory response compared with monotherapy. The findings support the potential of a combined cell-based and antioxidant approach for limiting secondary ischemic damage and creating favorable conditions for neurorepair