Diabetes and Stem Cells

The State of Diabetes

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. In a 2007 study, it was determined that the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed individuals of all ages with Diabetes in the United States was 23.6 million people, or 7.8 percent of the population. Of this group, 17.9 million people were diagnosed while an estimated 5.7 million were undiagnosed.

There are three main types of Diabetes, but in general it is a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood glucose (blood sugar), resulting from defects in insulin production and/or insulin action.

• Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes, develops when an individual’s immune system destroys his or her body’s pancreatic beta cells. These are the only cells in the body that produce the insulin hormone required to regulate the amount of glucose in the blood. In order to survive, patients must have insulin delivered by injection or a pump.
• Type 2 diabetes, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes, accounts for about 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. During the onset of type 2 diabetes, cells do not use insulin properly and ultimately the pancreas loses its ability to produce it altogether.
• Gestational diabetes is a third type of glucose intolerance which is diagnosed during a woman’s pregnancy. In most cases the women are either obese or have a family history of diabetes. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 40 to 60 percent chance of developing diabetes in the 5 to 10 years following their pregnancy.

While there are many complications associated with diabetes such as blindness, kidney damage, cardiovascular disease, and lower-limb amputations, individuals can prevent the incidence of these side-effects by controlling blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipids. Treatments include but are not limited to: following a healthy meal plan and exercise program, losing excess weight, taking oral medication, employing an insulin pump or injecting insulin (type 1 diabetes), and in some cases taking medications to control cholesterol and blood pressure. But these are treatments, not cures…

An article published by the Stem Cell Global Foundation (SCGF), describes a stem cell therapy treatment for type 2 diabetes. The patient, Mr. Sanjay, was one of the first to undertake this therapy in which concentrated stem cells were injected via a catheter into his pancreas. Within the first month, there were improvements in his insulin intake as his daily insulin injections dropped from 10 units per day to 8 units per day. With a balanced diet and exercise, his Clinician revealed that after 3 months he will no longer need insulin injections. Post therapy Sanjay exclaims “I feel great; this new science of regenerative medicine has been a step up and more responsive to my hopes for improvement of my daily life!”

At the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, John Markwardt became first student-patient to enroll in a research study aimed at limiting the intensity and scope of his newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes via the infusion of experimental stem cells (mesenchymal cells) derived from bone marrow of normal adult donors. Note:The study focuses on recently diagnosed diabetics because they still have some beta cells capable of making insulin.

In early July, Markwardt received his first treatment and is scheduled for a second treatment in August. Dr. Melissa Meredith revealed, “If we can stop that immune destruction (through stem-cell therapy), they (patients) still have the ability to make some insulin. We also know beta cells have the ability to regenerate. Even if they aren’t totally off insulin, it’s a better way to control the disease when they aren’t reliant on injected insulin and are making more of it themselves.”

While the study does not directly benefit those who have had the disease for years and do not produce any insulin whatsoever, the research definitely provides hope for future studies. It isn’t a cure, just yet, but its significance lies in its potential to delay the progression of diabetes and better regulate its effects to a greater extent than current treatments.

Helpful Links:

American Diabetes Association

Recent Articles:

08/10/2009 University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health stem cell study holds promise for diabetics
08/10/2009 Diabetes Treated Using Stem Cell Therapy