Bone marrow-derived stem cells for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

This study aims to reverse hyperglycemia and insulin dependency in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients by autologous bone marrow-derived stem cell transplantation (ABMSCT). The cells after purification were delivered by superselective injection into the gastroduodenal artery without any immunosuppressive regimen. 21 patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n=11) or control arm (n=10) of the study and monitored for 12 months. Trial results demonstrated that 9/11(82%) patients in the intervention group achieved the primary end point (a ≥50% reduction from baseline in insulin) with a mean HbA1c <7% in 89% of patients, while none of the patients in the control group reached the primary endpoint. Insulin requirements decreased by 62% in the intervention arm, while in controls, it decreased by 23.4% at 12 months. In conclusion, ABMSCT resulted in significant decreases in the insulin dose requirement along with improved c-peptide levels in T2DM patients.