Transplantation of stromal-derived factor 1α and basic fibroblast growth factor primed insulin-producing cells reverses hyperglycaemia in diabetic rats.

The defective insulin production is associated with severely reduced islet cell mass leading to diabetes. Growth factors preconditioned stem cells have arisen as an effective therapy to treat many diseases including diabetes. The current study was designed to assess the effect of pretreatment of ASCs derived IPCs with combination of stromal cell derived factor 1 alpha (SDF1α) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in improving glucose tolerance in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The results showed maximally significant reduction in hyperglycaemia and fibrosis, while up-regulation of survival and pancreas-specific genes, insulin levels and homing of transplanted cells in SDF-1α + bFGF IPCs transplanted rats as compared with other groups. Moreover, increased expression of insulin, glucagon and Glut-2 in pancreas of the SDF-1α + bFGF IPCs transplanted group indicated more regeneration of pancreas. Hence, the use of IPCs preconditioned with SDF-1α + bFGF would be more effective for treating diabetes.