Histological study of the role of stem cells on experimentally induced diabetes mellitus

Background:Stem cell research holds a hope for better treatment of many diseases, particularly those such as diabetes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to differentiate into functionally insulin-producing cells (IPCs). Aim of the work:Evaluation of the role of undifferentiated and differentiated MSCs (IPCs) in diabetic dogs. Materials and methods:The present study was performed on two groups of nine dogs. Group I included one dog used as the −ve control. Group II was formed of eight diabetic models receiving a single intravenous injection of alloxan (50 mg/kg) to induce diabetes, and divided into three subgroups. Subgroup IIA (two dogs) was used as the+ ve control, subgroup IIB (two dogs) received undifferentiated MSCs at a dose of 5 × 10⁶ intrahepatic percutaneously, and subgroup IIC (four dogs) received differentiated MSCs (IPCs) at a dose similar to subgroup IIB. Dogs were sacrificed with an overdose of sodium pentobarbital (100 mg/kg) 1 week after transplantation. Fasting blood glu cose level measurements, H E, and immunohistochemical staining were performed. Results:Significant increase was observed in insulin immunoreactive cells of the pancreas and the liver of groups that received undifferentiated and differentiated MSCs (P 0.05) as compared with the +ve control. The fasting blood glucose level improved in the group that received MSCs. Conclusion:Transplantation of autologous MSCs (IPCs) can improve diabetes (improve blood glucose level).