Diabetes is currently one of the world's most widespread diseases, and its prevalence is rapidly increasing. Most of this increase is due to the rising prevalence of type II diabetes, a disorder associated with obesity. In type II diabetes, the body becomes less able to produce and utilize insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas and needed to transport glucose from the bloodstream into body tissues. In type I diabetes, which is much less prevalent than type 2, the pancreas is incapable of producing insulin entirely. Unless treatment, both forms of diabetes cause blood sugar levels to rise uncontrollably, and over time can lead to such complications as diabetic vascular disease, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), circulatory problems that may require limb amputation, vision loss (diabetic retinopathy), and nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy).

HOW STEM CELL TRANSPLANT THERAPY HELPS

Research suggests that stem cell therapy can be beneficial for those suffering from diabetes. This is based upon indications that stem cells may transform into insulin-producing pancreas cells, assisting in the maintenance of normal blood sugar levels for extended periods of time.                   

Although stem cell therapy has been shown to be effective the exact mechanism of action for diabetes is not completely understood. It is possible that stem cells help regenerate the defective insulin-producing pancreas cells, and/or somehow improve the body's insulin sensitivity. The beneficial effect of reversing the complications is particularly exciting, because such complications (e.g., blindness, limb amputations, heart disease and kidney disease) can be devastating, and no other currently available therapies for diabetes have been shown to have such beneficial effects.