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Treating Type I Diabetes with Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Stem cells hold the key to curing previously untreatable conditions. Cellebration Wellness is dedicated to turning this potential into reality. Stem cell treatments are not a one-size-fits-all solution. At Cellebration Wellness, we tailor therapies to meet the unique needs of every patient.

Type I diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a kind of diabetes that lasts a lifetime. This disease is the result of when the pancreas stops producing insulin or produces too little of it to be effective. Insulin, which is a hormone that is produced by the body, is responsible for allowing glucose, or sugar, to enter cells so that energy can be produced. When the production of insulin is interrupted, it can lead to organ function failure, coma, or even death.

Type I diabetes can be caused by a number of different things, including genetics and some viruses. Adults are not immune to developing Type I diabetes. However, the condition typically manifests itself during childhood or adolescence.

How Many People Have Type I Diabetes?

In the United States, approximately 1.5 million people suffer from type I diabetes. A total of 64,000 patients are diagnosed annually in the United States. By 2040, scientists believe that nearly 2.1 million people will be diagnosed with this condition.

Worldwide, approximately 8.4 million people live with type I diabetes. By 2040, this number is predicted to increase to a total of 13.5 million to 17.5 million people globally.

What are the Symptoms of Type I Diabetes?

Patients who suffer from type I diabetes can experience an array of symptoms. Some of the most commonly reported include:

  • Childhood bed-wetting
  • Excessive urination
  • Feeling more thirsty than usual
  • Losing weight without having to try
  • Feelings of extreme hunger
  • Feeling tired or fatigued
  • Feeling weak
  • Experiencing blurred vision
  • Feeling irritable and/or experiencing other changes in mood

Patients who do not receive adequate treatment for type I diabetes may experience severe complications. These can include:

  • Heart and blood vessel disease: patients who suffer from type I diabetes that is not controlled can experience heart and blood vessel problems.
  • Nerve damage: Too much sugar can cause severe complications with the neurological system of the body. Poorly controlled blood sugar levels can cause patients to lose all feeling or senses in the affected limbs.
  • Kidney damage: Untreated type I diabetes can lead to kidney failure that cannot be reversed.
  • Eye damage: Diabetes that is not treated can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina. This can lead to blindness.
  • Foot damage: Nerve damage in the feet or inadequate blood flow can cause severe complications, which can lead to infections and the need for amputations.
  • Skin and mouth problems: Patients who do not receive treatment may experience infections in the skin and the mouth. These can include gum disease, dry mouth, and bacterial or fungal infections.
  • Pregnancy complications: High blood sugar levels can be dangerous for both expecting mothers and their babies. This can increase the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, and severe birth defects when diabetes is not controlled.

When it comes to helping patients who experience these and other symptoms, there are various treatment options that are generally prescribed.

What Treatment Options are Available for Type I Diabetes?

Patients who live with this condition will need to utilize insulin therapy indefinitely. There are several types of insulin that are generally prescribed for patients who have type I diabetes. These include:

  • Short-acting insulin: Also known as "normal" insulin, this type of insulin begins to work approximately 30 minutes after an injection is given. It takes between 90 and 120 minutes for it to reach its peak impact, which then lasts for approximately 4 to 6 hours. Commonly prescribed insulins include Humulin R, Novolin R, and Afrezza.
  • Rapid-acting insulin: Within fifteen minutes, this particular form of insulin will begin to work. It takes sixty minutes until it reaches its full effect, which then lasts for almost four hours. This kind of insulin is generally taken fifteen to twenty minutes before meals. Common examples of rapid-acting insulin include lispro (Humalog, Admelog, and Lyumjev), aspart (Novolog and FiAsp), and glulisine (Apidra).
  • Intermediate-acting insulin: This type of insulin begins to work approximately 1 to 3 hours after it is taken. Intermediate-acting insulin will reach its peak effect at approximately 6 to 8 hours after it is taken. This medication will last between 12 and 24 hours. Common types of intermediate-acting insulins include Humulin N and Novolin N.
  • Long and ultra-long-acting insulin: This type of insulin can provide coverage to patients for between 14 and 40 hours. Common long and ultra-long-acting insulins include Levemir, Toujeo Solostar, Lantus, Tresiba, and Basaglar.

Although insulin cannot be taken by mouth to lower blood sugar for patients who suffer from type I diabetes, there are two different ways that it can be administered. In most cases, injections are provided to patients who suffer from this condition. In general, patients who are injected with insulin will typically have to utilize various types of insulin throughout the day.

The second type of administration, which is becoming increasingly common, is the use of an insulin pump. This is a small device that is worn on the outside of the body of the patient. The device is programmed to deliver a specific amount of insulin to patients throughout the day and when they eat.

In addition, there is a tubeless pump option that involves wearing a pod of insulin on the body. Consistent monitoring of blood sugar levels is critically important in patients who suffer from this condition.

Patients who suffer from type I diabetes may receive various other types of medication as well. These can include cholesterol-lowering drugs, high blood pressure medication, and even aspirin.

Even though there are several types of treatment available to help patients who suffer from type I diabetes, there is no known cure. However, we have seen various scientists and medical professionals begin to study the use of umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells to treat patients who suffer from this chronic condition. Thus far, the results have been promising.

What are Umbilical Cord Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells?

Adult mesenchymal stem cells acquired from umbilical cord tissue are referred to as umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells, or UCT-MSCs for short. These cells are a form of adult stem cells. These cells are typically extracted from the Wharton's jelly found in the umbilical cord in the majority of cases. These cells are genuinely unique in that they have the capacity to differentiate into a variety of cell types. This feature sets them apart from all other types of cells. They are able to differentiate into cartilage cells, bone cells, and fatty tissue cells.

Also, it has been demonstrated that UCT-MSCs possess immunosuppressive qualities, which makes them useful for the treatment of autoimmune illnesses and degenerative diseases. In addition to this, they are able to facilitate the healing of tissue, reduce inflammatory responses, and modulate immunological responses.

In recent years, researchers have begun studying using this particular kind of stem cell to treat individuals who were given a diagnosis of Type I Diabetes. Some of the studies have yielded encouraging results, which provide patients who may have been diagnosed with this ailment and are dealing with overwhelming symptoms with some reason for optimism.

Using UCT-MSCs to Treat Type I Diabetes

There have been numerous studies surrounding the use of umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells to treat patients who suffer from type I diabetes. The tests thus far have proven promising when it comes to helping patients alleviate the symptoms they experience in association with this chronic disease.

One notable study conducted using mice showed promising results. When transplanted into NOD mice, UCT-MSCs demonstrated a profound ability to lower blood glucose levels and maintain beta cells. The regulation of islet autoimmunity was further investigated, and there was found to be a decrease in T helper 17 cells and an increase in regulatory T cells. MSCs transplantation also resulted in significantly lower levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and lower insulin doses required in patients with Type I Diabetes as compared to standard insulin therapy. These specific findings conclusively show that umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells were effective in improving glycemic controls and preserving β-cell function in type I diabetes patients.

Another study published in 2021 by the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) found that the use of umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells was successful in differentiating into functional islets in order to treat patients who suffer from this chronic condition. Patients were able to achieve successful results with only half of the targeted dose.

An additional study published in 2022 found that mouse patients that had not yet been injected with the umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells had much higher fasting blood glucose levels. The study also found that the values of insulin resistance were much lower in patients who were treated with stem cells.

Using umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells offers promise to be a safe and effective way of treating Type I diabetes. This revolutionary medical technique is beginning to revolutionize the way diabetes is treated and is providing patients with an alternative option for managing their condition. We are excited to have been able to witness the advancements made with this profound method of treatment for patients.

Don’t wait to experience the benefits of advanced stem cell therapies. Reach out to Cellebration Wellness today! Schedule your consultation now at 1.800.601.8290 to explore personalized treatment options.

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