Stem Cells in the Treatment of Diabetes - Essay Example

June 19, Diabetes and stem cell treatment Introduction Diabetes is a disease caused by reduced or lack of insulin production in the body. It is a major cause of death among the human population is the rate is much higher than that of cancer and HIV combined. Treatments for the disease have been around, but none of them is free of repetitive jabs of insulin that have to be taken several times a day to ensure good health and be survive. However, in recent times, research has led to the discovery of new means to manage the disease, although, only for minimal patients. The aim of this paper is to explain the importance of stem cells, their use and role, as well as the populations cured by the treatment resulting from stem cells. Importance of stem cells Stem cells in the treatment of diabetes play a crucial role due to their capabilities in differentiation, in the early stages of development, they can develop into any tissue found in the body ranging from body organs to full body parts (Pileggi, p.1355). Their functionality lies in the way they differentiate into these tissues. To ensure that they can turn into any body tissue their ability must not be lost through the differentiation process. This is because differentiation makes the stem cells into tissue specific cells (Burns et al 438). In diabetes, they are used to regenerate certain parts of the pancreas. To reproduce this vital part that is affected by diabetes, there is a need to modify the stem cells that remain in a patient’s body, in spite of the limited reserves (Holger et al 2). Treatment in diabetes Diabetes is a disease that results from the autoimmune destructions of pancreatic cells that are responsible for an individual’s ability to control and regulate blood glucose (Marko et al 1). Diabetes causes poor blood circulation, heart disease, stroke, infection, kidney failure and sometimes it even results in death (Zhao 2). Due to destruction of these pancreatic cells, the body is unable to produce insulin and thus insulin is administers, however, the role of insulin is to regulate the levels of glucose in the blood of an individual. The destruction of the pancreatic cells responsible for the production of insulin, pancreatic islet B cells, has yet to have a cure. For long periods, scientists have been unable to find a cure as the treatment involves individual approaches that are too complex and expensive. However, in recent times, studies and researches have revealed of a possibility that stem cells can be used to cure or at least reverse diabetic conditions by restarting pancreatic function in an individual and, as a result, eradicate if or reduce the need for insulin administration (Bernat et al 1). This is by taking of the problem that autoimmunity poses for diabetics. The autoimmune component of the disease is crucial in finding a cure. Autoimmunity is handled by the use of a Stem Cell Educator to counter it. The purpose of doing this is to ensure that the immune system of the diabetic individual does not destroy the islet B cells once pancreatic function is restored (Zhao 3). Stem Cell Education occurs through a process that involves passing the patient’s lymphocytes through a treated combination of plates, made of Human Cord blood and Stem Cells, compacted together with material that does not interfere with the immune modulating abilities (Zhao 3). In order for Stem Cells to be used in treatment of diabetes, there is the need to use the Stem Cell Educator therapy, as it is safe and efficient in restoring the functionality of the pancreas. The educator process is designed to create cultures of the patient’s lymphocytes, and is in a closed loop so that the process is repeated and educated cells are returned to the patient’s circulatory system. The cells used in this process are derived from multipotent, adult, stem cells and used to develop new islets (Holger et al 11). Despite reduced functionality in adult cells, they are still capable of regenerating, but this only happens under certain circumstances. Role of stem cells In treating diabetes, stem cells that are extracted from the human body are used to create an alternative form of immunity so that the body does not attack the pancreas. In addition, in regeneration of new pancreatic cells, stem cells are used. However, the cells must be physically placed into the body as stem cells are used to develop the parts outside the body. In this case, stem cells are used to clone or graft the pancreas. In addition, another way in which to do it is through replacing the entire immune system because; scientists believe that the trigger to wipe out the pancreatic cells lies within the immune cell. Therefore, to counter this, stem cells could be used to emulate the individual’s immune system, and thus cease from attacking the pancreas (Marko 1). Treated individuals The use of stem cells to treat diabetic patients has been widely experimental to test on the safety and efficiency of the therapy on human beings (Zhao 3). This was after it was used on mice successfully. Stem Cells from mice were used to reproduce parts of their pancreases. After implantation of pancreatic islets in the mice, they were found to replicate and thus the diabetic condition was lessened. In humans, though experimental currently, it has only been used on 15 individuals to assess the effects. Of all the individuals, some did not improve in their condition whatsoever while others have managed to be rid of insulin shots for up to periods of five years (Bernat et al 1). However, despite the seeming success of this treatment, it is limited. This is in regard to which individuals can receive the treatment and how successful it will be. The stem cell treatment is only viable for type one diabetics. This is because they have chances of restarting functionality of their pancreas. Pancreases of type one diabetics have not been destroyed by their autoimmunity and therefore, can be regenerated (Zhao 2). As for those who do not go through the treatment successfully, they still stand a chance as they can continue with their insulin doses at reduced amounts as compared to before the treatment. Conclusion Currently, no known full cure for diabetes has been generated. However, there are treatments that involve the use of stem cells to eradicate the use of much needed insulin to survive and maintain good health. Stem cell treatment is, however, only applicable to few people. Works Cited Zhao Yong, et al. Reversal of Type 1 Diabetes via Islet Cell Regeneration Following Immune Modulation By Cord Blood-Derived Multipotent Stem Cells." BMC Medicine 10.1. 2012. Print. Lechner, Andreas and Habener, Joel. Stem/ Progenitor Cells Derived from Adult Tissues: Potential for The Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus. The American Journal of Physiology. 2003. Print. Marko Sysi-Aho, et al. Metabolic Regulation in Progression to Autoimmune Diabetes. PLoS Comput Biol. 7(10): e1002257. 2011. Print. Holger Russ, et al. Insulin-Producing Cells Generated from Dedifferentiated Human Pancreatic Beta Cells Expanded In Vitro. 2011. Print. Bernat Soria, et al. Insulin-Secreting Cells Derived From Embryonic Stem Cells Normalize Glycemia in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice. 2000. Print. Pileggi Antonello. Mesenchymal stem Cell for the treatment of Diabetes. Diabetes Vol. 61. 2012. Print. Burns et al. Stem cell therapy for diabetes: do we need to make beta cells? Journal of Endocrinology. 2004. Print. Read More