Can Cord Blood Cure Diabetes?

Stem cell research has been around since the early 1900's when scientists discovered that the different types of blood cells such as white blood cells, and red blood cells as well as, platelets all originated from a particular type of stem cell. This is in turn led to studies of the different types of stem cells, and the the stem cells in cord and placental blood in particular. Researchers have become increasingly interested in how the stem cells in cord blood mimic cells needed for the production of insulin in the last few years, and studies are currently underway to see how this new information can help to create a cure for diabetes. According to most researchers we are five to eight years away from having a viable cure.

Cord Blood

Cord blood, which is also called placental blood, is the blood left in the placenta and umbilical cord following a child's birth. In most situations this blood, as well as the placenta and umbilical cord, are disposed of following the birth. However, some parents are now choosing to pay fees as high as $2,000 to begin with, and around $100 every month, to save this blood in a secure blood bank, in the event that their child needs it in the future.

The Significance to Diabetes Research

Cord blood is important to diabetes research because of the stem cells in cord blood. When it comes to treating diabetes, the hope is that at some point these stem cells can replace the pancreatic beta cells. Presently, the therapy seems to be more applicable to those with Type 1 diabetes, because this type of diabetes is caused by the immune system malfunctioning and destroying the pancreatic beta cells, leaving the body without enough insulin to break down sugars and carbs into energy. It is hoped that at some point the therapy could be used to help those suffering from Type 2 or adult onset type diabetes as well, which is caused more by obesity and lifestyle factors.

Types of Stem Cells

There are three different types of stem cells—totipotent stem cells, which are only found in early embryos; pluripotent stem cells, which exist only in a blastocyst's undifferentiated inner cell mass, and which can become over 200 different types of cells in the human body; and finally multi-potent stem cells, the type of stem cells that exist in cord blood and placental blood, as well as fetal tissue and adult stem cells. Multi-potent stem cells have the ability to become or mimic different cells in the human body, just not as many cells as the pluripotent stem cells. Still, they are useful, because they are able to become the pancreatic beta cells that are necessary for producing insulin.

One Study's Results

Recent studies in the last few years have been promising when it comes to using cord blood to help treat type 1 diabetes. In one study of 15 youngsters with diabetes type 1, the children were given drugs that suppressed their immune systems, and immediately afterward were given transfusions of stem cells, which were taken from their own blood. Thirteen were able to stop using daily insulin injections for up to 3 years after treatment.

Considerations

Though treating type 1 diabetes with cord blood seems as though it will work, there are considerations to take into account, such as the fact that cord blood that comes from a child with a genetic defect could carry the same genetic mutation in her stem cells. Stem cell research is provocative, and many in the religious community would like to see it stopped altogether. The fact that the stem cells used in diabetes research come from cord blood and not embryos helps researchers avoid some of the same controversy.