Therapeutic Potential of Amniotic Fluid-Derived Stem Cells into Pancreatic Lineage in an Animal Model of Diabetes

Abstract

Diabetes is a major health concern and it is estimated that India became diabetic capital in the future. The therapeutic potential of various medications, cell therapy, and islet transplantation is explored in recent years. The therapeutic potential of Mesenchymal Stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow and from other sources has been studied forthe treatment of diabetes. MSCsfrom bone marrow ameliorate hyperglycemia but are unable to restore normoglycaemia in diabetic animals when injected with a single dose. The therapeutic potential of another more primitive source of MSCs from human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (hAFSCs) has not been explored in diabetes. In the present study, we have assessed the effect of hAFSCs in a rat model of diabetes. hAFSCs transplantation has been seen to control blood glucose levels, and promote weight gain and other physiological parameters. Immuno-histochemical results suggested an increase in islet mass and number after hAFSCs transplantation. Q-RTPCR results showed transcription factors Ins-1, Oct-4, MAF-A, and PDX-1 were markedly upregulated in the hAFSCs transplanted group in comparison with diabetes and control groups. These data suggest that hAFSCs possess considerable therapeutic potential for diabetes through the restoration of insulin mass and up regulations of transcription factors of pancreatic lineage. Keyword : Amniotic fluid stem cells, diabetic mellitus, rat