Effects of human umbilical cord serum on proliferation and insulin content of human fetal islet-like cell clusters

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabets is an autoimmune disease caused by the destruction of pancreatic β-cell with an in- creased incidence worldwide in the closing decades of the 20th century. This study was to investigate the effects of human umbilical cord serum (UCS) on the proliferation and function of human fetal islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) in vitro. METHODS: Eight fresh pancreatic glands obtained after in- duction of labor with water bag were mildly exposed to col- lagenase V, and the digested cells were cultured in a RPMI- 1640 medium plus 10% pooled UCS or fetal calf serum (FCS) to permit cells attachment and outgrowth of ICCs. RESULTS: In 8 consecutively explanted glands, develop- ment and proliferation of ICCs were observed. In the pre- sence of FCS, the outgrowth of ICC took place on the top of a flbroblast monocellular layer. UCS affected less growth of fibroblasts and increased the formation of ICCs about four-fold compared with explants from the same glands maintained in FCS. In both UCS and FCS, the insulin con- tent of the medium was variable to a certain extent and progressively declined from day 2 to day 6. Dithizone- stained ICCs in UCS suggested that most cell clusters were islet cells ( β-cells), and the purity of islets was estimated 80%-90%. The ultrastructure of the cultured cells showed a large number of granule-containing cells, most of which were identified as β-cells. CONCLUSION: We conclude that in comparison with ex- plants with FCS, the yield of ICCs and purification of islet cells are markedly increased by UCS and may facilitate the proliferation of pancreatic β-cells intended for islet trans- plantation.

Umbilical cord blood serum therapy for the management of persistent corneal epithelial defects

AIM:Toevaluatetheroleofumbilical cord blood serum(CBS) therapy in cases with persistent corneal epithelial defects(PED).METHODS:Sixteen eyes of 14 patients with PED who were resistant to conventional treatment were treated with 20% umbilical cord serum eye drops. Patients were followed-up weekly until epithelization was complete.The collected data included the grade of corneal lesion(Grade I: epithelial defect +superficial vascularization,Grade II: epithelial defect +stromal edema, Grade III:corneal ulcer +stromal melting), the size of epithelial defect(pretreatment, 7th, 14 thand 21stdays of treatment),and follow-up time was evaluated retrospectively.RESULTS:The mean size of epithelial defect on two perpendicular axes was 5.2×4.6-mm2(range: 2.5-8 mm×2.2-9 mm2). Mean duration of treatment was 8.3 ±5wk.CBS therapy was effective in 12 eyes(75%) and ineffective in 4 eyes(25%). The epithelial defects in 4ineffective eyes were healed with amniotic membrane transplantation and tarsorrhaphy. The rate of complete healing was 12.5% by 7d, 25% by 14 d, and 75% by 21 d.The healing time was prolonged in Grade III eyes in comparison to eyes in Grade I or Grade II.CONCLUSION:The results of the current study indicated the safety effectiveness of CBS drops in the management of PED. The grade of disease seems have a role on the healing time.