Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Bone marrow is an abundant source of adult stem cells that can differentiate into various cell types. Administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in irradiated diabetic rat model has transiently shown to decrease blood glucose level. This study examines the effect of high dose and multiple injections of MSCs on glycaemic profile, their localisation and regeneration of islet in diabetic Wistar rat.

Methods: The study was carried out in male Wistar rats categorised into three groups (n=6, in each group); Group 1as control, group 2 STZ (50 mg/Kg) induced diabetic group and group 3 experimental group. 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labelled allogenic MSCs were injected in the non–irradiated diabetic rat of the experimental group through rat tail-vein. The blood glucose profile was subsequently monitored at regular intervals. Rats were sacrificed at day 45 and pancreas was examined for localization of BrdU labelled stem cells by immunofluorescence and islet-neogenesis by immunohistochemistry.

Results: There was a significant reduction in blood glucose level after administration of MSCs in the experimental group (P<0.001). The presence of BrdU labelled MSCs in islet suggested their localization in the pancreas. Co-expression of anti-BrdU and anti-insulin antibody indicated trans-differentiation/fusion into insulin producing cells evidenced by significant increase in total number of islet (P=0.004) and insulin positive cells (P<0.0001) in experimental group.

Conclusion: The MSCs administration in non-irradiated diabetic Wistar rat reduces hyperglycaemia and is accompanied by increased islet-neogengesis, possibly through trans- differentiation/fusion.