Stem cell therapy for Diabetes

10 Feb Stem cell therapy for Diabetes

Stem cells are an important treatment option to treat Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, and to wean the patient off insulin injections.

Stem cells’ unique ability to differentiate or turn into different types of cells makes them the best option to treat diabetes.

Diabetes is usually caused by a lack of functioning beta cells or b-cells in the body.

In Type 1 Diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks its own supply of b-cells.

In Type 2 Diabetes, the b-cells do not produce sufficient levels of insulin to overcome insulin resistance.

Stem cell help Diabetes

Research shows that stem cells can help to achieve a high number of new b-cells without the risks or complications of a transplant.

Once stem cells are introduced into a patient, they migrate to the damaged tissue, differentiate into new b-cells, and self-replicate to maintain a healthy level of b-cells in the body.

Stem cells can also be induced into becoming insulin-producing cells in the lab. These matured cells could then directly replenish lost or damaged cells in the body. Using these methods, Type 1 diabetes can be successfully treated, without the need for insulin or donor cells.

In a similar manner, stem cells can be used to treat Type 2 Diabetes. While b-cells are still present in Type 2 patients, new b-cells can supplement the body’s supply to overcome the insulin resistance. Stem cells can continuously maintain b-cells levels above the required amount to manage the insulin resistance.