In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate if stem cells that come from bone marrow could improve kidney function in patients with type 1 diabetes with and without kidney disease. The main finding of the study was that bone marrow stem cells decreased the amount of protein in the urine (an indicator of kidney disease) in these patients.
Some background
Kidney disease is a common complication of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The kidney normally functions as a filter, removing the unwanted substances from the body and keeping the necessary substances. When the kidney is not working properly, important substances such as proteins also get filtered out. Therefore, if there is protein in the urine (microalbuminuria, MAU), the kidneys are not working properly. This is what happens in diabetic kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy). The more protein in the urine, the worse the kidney disease.
Stem cells are cells that have the potential to grow into any other types of cells as the body needs them. One place they can be found in is the bone marrow. It is not known whether infusing (injecting into a vein) these bone marrow stem cells into patients with T1D can improve kidney function.
Methods & findings
This study included 15 patients with T1D. 7 patients had kidney disease. 8 patients did not have any kidney disease. Patients were infused with bone marrow stem cells from their own bone marrow twice over 6 months.
After 6 months, there was a 26% reduction of MAU in the overall group. In the group with kidney disease, there was an 83.2% reduction in MAU.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that infusions of bone marrow stem cells can reduce kidney disease in patients with type 1 diabetes.
The fine print
This study had a very small number of patients. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results.
Published By :
Journal of nephrology
Date :
Nov 07, 2018
