Umbilical cord blood stem cells obtained from newborn babies are being increasingly used in treating a wide range of diseases.
Diabetes, an autoimmune disease, is one of them. Diabetes occurs when the defective autoimmune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Our body needs insulin to absorb sugar or glucose—the fuel for the cells to function better. However, destroyed beta cells cannot produce insulin, thus starving the cells of their source of energy. Meanwhile, the glucose starts getting deposited in the blood, raising the blood sugar levels in the body which gradually start affecting the nerves and small blood vessels of the eyes, kidneys, and heart. Diabetes, if not checked, can cause stroke, blindness, heart attack, kidney failure and even lower limb amputation.
There are mainly two types of diabetes—type-1 diabetes which is caused due to deficient insulin production in the body, and type-2 diabetes, characterized by ineffective use of insulin by the body.
Role of Baby Stem Cells in Curing Type 1 Diabetes
Research has proved that baby stem cells can be converted into insulin-producing cells which can help in controlling type-1 diabetes. Baby stem cells can be converted into insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells and can be transferred to the body of the patient. Transplantation of billions of such cells could effectively help in curing the condition by stabilizing the glucose levels in the bloodstream. The glucose level can become normal within two weeks of the transplantation, and stay like that for many months.
Stem cells are the fundamental cells that are capable of multiplying and regenerating into specialized cells. Cord blood stem cells are unique as they not only multiply and regenerate but are also immune tolerant. They do not get easily compromised by the immune system and do not start destroying themselves, as is the case in any auto-immune disease. Cord blood stem cells also contain more numbers of regulatory T cells; a particular type of white blood cell that keeps the immune system balanced. This makes cord blood stem cells potentially useful for treating auto-immune diseases such as type-1 diabetes.
Diabetes is considered a genetic condition. Autologous hematopoietic stem cells, found in the umbilical cord blood, should be used to produce insulin-producing beta cells.
Umbilical cord blood stem cells are the best source for autologous hematopoietic stem cells due to the lack of mutations that usually occur with ageing. Almost one billion stem cells are required to treat type-1 diabetes and therefore, umbilical cord blood stem cells are the best bet. Type-1 diabetes or juvenile diabetes can be detected quite early in life. Therefore, those who have invested in newborn cord blood banking can avail of the benefits of stem cell banking by using the stored stem cells to treat this condition.
If your family has a history of diabetes, then it will be a wise decision to invest in baby stem cell storage. Newborn stem cell banking is a hassle-free process and can help in fighting against 80+ diseases including type-1 diabetes. The benefits of cord blood banking can serve not only the baby whose cord blood stem cell is preserved but the entire family.
