HYPERGLYCEMIA REVERSAL IN DIABETIC INFARCTED RAT POSTINTRAVENOUS INFUSION OF HUMAN MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Hyperglycemia reversal and preservation/restoration of β-cells function in diabetic infarction remains as an attractive and challengeable therapeutic target. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells with a strong immunoregulatory potential that have emerged as a possible cell-based therapy for a variety of immunological diseases. The objective of this study was to examine the dose-dependent efcacy of intravenous administration of human umbilical cord blood derived MSCs (UCB-MSCs) in chemically induced rats with diabetic infraction. METHODS Wister rats (weight: 200-250g, males) received intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection followed by isoproterenol to develop diabetes infarction condition. After model development animals received intravenous single or double dose of human 6 UCB-MSCs (5 X 10 cells per animal at each dose) and followed up to 30 days post-administration. Pancreatic tissue histology, blood glucose and insulin levels were measured, and proportion of animal survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier curve analysis. RESULTS Double dose of MSCs infusion resulted in reorganization of islet cells and partial restoration of β-cells at day 30. Comparatively faster restoration of glucose and insulin normalization was observed for two MSCs doses compared to single dose. Highest proportion of animal survival was observed (>85%) for double doses of MSCs infusion compared to single dose (>70%) at day 30. CONCLUSION Two consecutive intravenous doses of human UCB-MSCs can improve structural and functional decits of pancreatic tissues and maintain blood glucose and insulin levels in diabetic infarcted rats up to 30 days. However, identication of long-term effects entails longer follow-up periods, and larger sample sizes with other investigations.