Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate STZ-induced pancreas damage in type 1 diabetes

Objective: To investigate the possibility of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC) in the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods: ADSC were isolated from the adipotic tissue of abdomen in Sprague-Dawley rats (4-6 week-old, female) and expanded in vitro. Cells were then identified by testing their phenotypes through flow cytometry. Balb/c mice (8 week-old, male) were divided into 3 groups: T1D group, ADSC group and control group. Streptozocin (50 mg/kg . d) were injected intraperitoneally into mice of T1D group and ADSC group for 5 consecutive days to establish the T1D model. In ADSC group, ADSC were injected intravenously on day 3 of STZ injection. In control group, only PBS was injected. Fasting blood glucose (FGB) level was examined once a week. At the end of the 4th week, animals were killed. The pathological changes of islet were showed by histochemistry through hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE staining). beta cell insulin expression was detected by quantum dots immunofluorescence histochemistry. Results: After ADSC administration, FGB levels decreased significantly from the second week. Whereas FGB levels in T1D group increased significantly and continuously during the experimental period. Moreover, ADSC effectively suppressed pancreatic islet damage induced by STZ and increased the expression of insulin protein in pancreatic beta cells. Conclusions: Intravenuously injected ADSC can prevent STZ induced beta-cell destruction and decrease blood glucose level.