Transplantation of insulin-producing cells to treat diabetic rats after 90% pancreatectomy

AIM:To investigate the effects of transplantation of insulin-producing cells(IPCs) in the treatment of diabetic rats after 90% pancreatectomy.METHODS:Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(UCMSCs) were isolated and induced into IPCs using differentiation medium.Differentiated cells were examined by dithizone(DTZ) staining,reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),and real-time RT-PCR.C-peptide release,both spontaneously and after glucose challenge,was measured by ELISA.IPCs were then transplanted into Sprague-Dawley rats after 90% pancreatectomy and blood glucose levels and body weight were measured.RESULTS:The differentiated cells were positive for DTZ staining and expressed pancreatic β-cell related genes.C-peptide release by the differentiated cells increased after glucose challenge(380.6 ± 15.32 pmol/L vs 272.4 ± 15.32 pmol/L,P < 0.05).Further,in the cell transplantation group,blood sugar levels were significantly lower than in the sham group 2 wk after transplantation(18.7 ± 2.5 mmol/L vs 25.8 ± 1.25 mmol/L,P < 0.05).Glucose tolerance tests showed that 45 min after intraperitoneal glucose injection,blood glucose levels were significantly lower on day 56 after transplantation of IPCs(12.5 ± 4.7 mmol/L vs 42.2 ± 9.3 mmol/L,P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:Our results show that UCMSCs can differentiate into islet-like cells in vitro under certain conditions,which can function as IPCs both in vivo and in vitro.