The promising role of hypoxia-resistant insulin-producing cells in ameliorating diabetes mellitus in vivo

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of hypoxia-persistent insulin-producing cells (IPCs) against diabetes in vivo. MATERIALS & METHODS: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation into IPCs in the presence of Se/Ti (III) or CeO(2) nanomaterials. IPCs were subjected to hypoxia and hypoxia genes were analyzed. PKH-26-labeled IPCs were infused in diabetic rats to evaluate their anti-diabetic potential. RESULTS: MSCs were differentiated into functional IPCs. IPCs exhibited overexpression of anti-apoptotic genes and down-expression of hypoxia and apoptotic genes. IPCs implantation elicited glucose depletion and elevated insulin, HK and G6PD levels. They provoked VEGF and PDX-1 upregulation and HIF-1α and Caspase-3 down-regulation. IPCs transplantation ameliorated the destabilization of pancreatic tissue architecture. CONCLUSION: The chosen nanomaterials were impressive in generating hypoxia-resistant IPCs that could be an inspirational strategy for curing diabetes.