Stem cells: A new choice for diabetes therapy / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

The failure of pancreatic islet beta cells and insulin resistance are the main mechanism of the occurrence and development of diabetes. The current anti-diabetic drugs, which do not focus on the key pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, can only eliminate or alleviate the symptoms, delay the progression of the disease, but can not cure the disease fundamentally. Stem cells, which have unique biological characteristics, extremely strong self-renewal ability, multi direction differentiation potential, and secretion of a variety of cytokines, have become a star in the diabetes treatment. Basic researches showed that stem cells may ameliorate hyperglycemia persistently and stably by improving the function of islet beta cells and increasing insulin sensitivity of peripheral target tissue. Some small-sample clinical trials have demonstrated its effectiveness and safety, while prospective largesample, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials may provide more evidence on its efficacy and safety, and pave the way for the clinical use of stem cell therapy for diabetes mellitus.