Effect of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell infusion on depression, anxiety, and stress scores (DASS-21) in women with sexual dysfunction
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (AD-MSC) infusion on depression, anxiety, and stress scores assessed by the DASS-21 scale in women with female sexual dysfunction. The study employed a randomized controlled clinical trial design involving 50 women aged from 40 to under 51 years old, allocated equally into two groups. Group A received intravenous AD-MSC infusion at baseline and a repeated dose at month 3, while Group B was observed without intervention during the first 6 months before receiving the same treatment regimen. DASS-21 scores were assessed at baseline and at intervals of 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. After 6 months, Group A showed a significantly greater reduction in DASS-21 scores compared with Group B. These preliminary findings suggest that AD-MSC infusion may have potential benefits in improving depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among women with sexual dysfunction.
Article Details
Keywords
Female sexual dysfunction, Mesenchymal stem cells, Randomized controlled trial, Perimenopause
References
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2. Bộ Y Tế. Cổng thông tin điện tử - Việt Nam có khoảng 14 triệu người rối loạn tâm thần. Published 2023. Accessed March 2, 2025.https://moh.gov.vn/tin-lien-quan/-/asset_publisher/vjYyM7O9aWnX/content/viet-nam-co-khoang-14-trieu-nguoi-roi-loan-tam-than.
3. Lobo RA. Hormone-replacement therapy: current thinking. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2017; 13(4): 220-231. doi:10.1038/nrendo.2016.164.
4. Najar M, Melki R, Khalife F, et al. Therapeutic mesenchymal stem/stromal cells: value, challenges and optimization. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021; 9: 716853. doi:10.3389/fcell.2021.716853.
5. Wang L, Jiang X, Zhao F, Duan P, Li Z, Luo Y. A review of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells’ impacts and challenges: metabolic regulation, tumor modulation, immunomodulation, regenerative medicine and genetic engineering therapies. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2025; 16: 1606847. doi:10.3389/fendo.2025.1606847.
6. Meziou N, Scholfield C, Taylor CA, Armstrong HL. Hormone therapy for sexual function in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis update. Menopause. 2023; 30(6): 659-671. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000002185.
7. Nguyen TL, Dam PTM, Nguyen HP, et al. Can autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation improve sexual function in people with sexual functional deficiency? Stem Cell Rev Rep. 2021; 17(6): 2153-2163. doi:10.1007/s12015-021-10196-w.
8. Lovibond PF, Lovibond SH. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Behav Res Ther. 1995; 33(3): 335-343.
9. Tran TD, Tran T, Fisher J. Validation of the DASS-21 as a screening instrument for depression and anxiety in a rural community-based cohort of northern Vietnamese women. BMC Psychiatry. 2013; 13: 24. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-13-24.
10. Hoang VT, Nguyen HP, Nguyen VN, Hoang DM, Nguyen TT, Nguyen Thanh L. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy for the management of female sexual dysfunction: literature reviews and study design of a clinical trial. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2022; 10:956274. doi:10.3389/fcell.2022.956274.
11. Sulaiman MA, Al-Farsi YM, Al-Khaduri MM, Waly MI, Saleh J, Al-Adawi S. Psychological burden among women with polycystic ovarian syndrome in Oman: a case-control study. Int J Womens Health. 2017; 9: 897-904. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S145383.
12. Zhang T, Li D, Wang Y, Zhang C, Yang W, Gao G. Delivering umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosomes through hydrogel ameliorates vaginal atrophy in ovariectomized rats. Aging (Albany NY). 2023; 15(23): 14292-14305. doi:10.18632/aging.205302.
13. Li J, Fan H, Liu W, et al. Mesenchymal stem cells promote ovarian reconstruction in mice. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2024; 15(1): 115. doi:10.1186/s13287-024-03718-z.
14. Shahhosseini Z, Gardeshi ZH, Pourasghar M, Salehi F. A review of affecting factors on sexual satisfaction in women. Mater Sociomed. 2014; 26(6): 378-381. doi:10.5455/msm.2014.26.378-381.
15. Yazdanpanahi Z, Nikkholgh M, Akbarzadeh M, Pourahmad S. Stress, anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction among postmenopausal women in Shiraz, Iran. J Family Community Med. 2018; 25(2): 82-88.
16. Kırat S. Sexual dysfunction in the life cycle of women: implications for psychological health. Healthcare (Basel). 2025; 13(11): 1268. doi:10.3390/healthcare13111268.
17. Jenabi E, Khazaei S, Tiznobaik A, et al. Relationship between stress, anxiety, depression and sexual function among women with premature ovarian insufficiency in West Iran. BMC Psychol. 2025; 13(1): 1266. doi:10.1186/s40359-025-03536-9.
18. Karimi F, Babazadeh R, Asgharipur N, Esmaily H, Latifnejad Roudsari R. Effectiveness of counseling using the PLISSIT model on depression, anxiety, and stress among postpartum women with sexual dysfunction: a randomized trial. J Midwifery Reprod Health. 2019; 7(4): 1922-1930. doi:10.22038/JMRH.2019.36434.1399.
19. Monfaredi Z, Malakouti J, Farvareshi M, Mirghafourvand M. Effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on mood, sleep quality, and quality of life in menopausal women: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry. 2022; 22(1): 108. doi:10.1186/s12888-022-03768-8.
20. Amin SM, El-Gazar HE, Zoromba MA, El-Sayed MM, Awad AGE, Atta MHR. Mindfulness for menopausal women: enhancing quality of life and psychological well-being through a randomized controlled intervention. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2025; 57(4): 563-575. doi:10.1111/jnu.70003