Abstract

Stem cells can be differentiated into many types of mature cells. Among degenerative diseases, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is considered to be a good target disease for stem cell therapeutic application. Indeed, several studies have suggested that stem cells can be differentiated, both in vitro and in vivo, into beta cells which regenerate the pancreas. However, recent studies have shown that stem cell therapy can also provide benefits for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which is not related to beta cell degeneration in the pancreas. This commentary will discuss the opportunity to use mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat T2DM, citing various stem cell therapies from recent published studies. Indeed, a current report “Expanded autologous adipose derived stem cell transplantation for type 2 diabetes mellitus, Biomedical Research and Therapy, 3(12): 1034-1044” evaluated and confirmed the positive effects of stem cell transplantation for blood glucose regulation in T2DM.

Key words: Stem cells; Mesenchymal stem cells; Type 2 diabetes mellitus, T2DM