Dovepress, May 19 2025
A large-scale retrospective clinical study recently published in Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity has demonstrated the safety and therapeutic efficacy of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSC) infusion in improving metabolic and endocrine parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Study Overview
The study analyzed data from the Cytopeutics patient registry, involving 301 individuals with T2DM who received a single intravenous infusion of 50–100 × 10⁶ UC-MSCs. Patients were monitored over 6 to 12 months, focusing on metabolic indicators, systemic inflammation, organ function, and reproductive hormone levels.
Key Clinical Outcomes
- Improved Glycemic Control and Insulin Sensitivity
- HbA1c significantly decreased at 6 months (p<0.001) and continued to decline by 12 months (p=0.016), indicating enhanced glucose regulation.
- Insulin levels and HOMA-IR showed statistically significant reductions, reflecting improved insulin sensitivity.
- Enhanced Hepatic and Renal Function
In patients with early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD stage 2):
- eGFR increased and serum creatinine decreased,
- ALT and GGT levels dropped, suggesting improved non-alcoholic liver function.
- Systemic Anti-Inflammatory Effects
- A notable reduction in hs-CRP after 12 months (p=0.016) highlighted the immunomodulatory impact of UC-MSCs in T2DM.
- Regulation of Reproductive Hormones
- Levels of testosterone in males and estradiol in females increased modestly but significantly, suggesting a positive influence on the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, often disrupted in chronic diabetes.
Safety and Clinical Feasibility
No serious adverse events were observed throughout the study period. The infusion of UC-MSCs was well-tolerated, requiring no immunosuppressive therapy, and proved feasible in a routine clinical setting.
Clinical Significance and Future Directions
These findings reinforce the potential of UC-MSCs as a multi-system, immunometabolic therapeutic approach for T2DM, characterized by:
- Broad systemic effects (metabolic, immune, endocrine),
- Durable benefits lasting up to 12 months after a single infusion,
- Practical applicability without complex preconditioning.
The authors advocate for further randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to confirm these outcomes and elucidate underlying mechanisms of action.
References
Chin, S. P., Kee, L. T., Mohd, M. A., & Then, K. Y. (2025). Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Infusion in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Retrospective Cytopeutics’ Registry Study. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity, 1643-1659.
Source: Dovepress
Link: https://www.dovepress.com/umbilical-cord-derived-mesenchymal-stem-cells-infusion-in-type-2-diabe-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-DMSO
