Comparative study on bone marrow mononuclear cells vs mesenchymal cells transplantation to improve islets function of diabetic mice

Objective To compare the different effects of bone marrow mononuclear cells vs mesenchymal cells transplantation on islets function of diabetic mice. Methods Mouse diabetic models were created by multiply peritoneal injection of low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) and divided into three groups:control group ( n = 14) , bone marrow mononuclear cells group ( n = 14) , and bone marrow mesenchymal cells group (n = 14). Blood glucose was measured weekly after transplantation by glucometer. Histochem istry and immunofluorescence were performed to characterize pancreatic histology, morphology and markers expressed in receipt pancreas. Results Compared with control group and bone marrow mesenchymal cells group, blood glucose levels in bone marrow mesenchymal cells group were significantly reduced at first week after transplantation[( 16. 6 ± 1.6 ) vs ( 26. 3 ± 0. 5 ) / ( 24. 4 ± 1.3 ) mmol/L, P ＜ 0. 05]and sustained to reduce at 6th week after transplantation[( 16. 5 ± 1.5 ) vs ( 27.7 ± 0. 1 ) mmol/L in control group,P＜0. 05]. One week after transplantation, the islets number in bone marrow mesenchymal cells group was larger than in control group ( 21.2 ± 1. 1vs 11.2 ± 1.3, P ＜ 0. 05 ) and bone marrow mononuclear cells group ( 21.2 ± 1. 1vs 12. 2 ± 1.3 ,P ＜0. 05 ). One weeks after transplantation, the beta cell number in bone marrow mesenchymal cells group was larger than in control group (415.9 ± 25.4 vs 65.9 ±7. 1,P＜0.05) and bone marrow mononuclear cells group (415.9 ±25.4 vs 64. 1 ±6.5,P＜0.05). In bone marrow mononuclear cells and bone marrow mesenchymal cells groups, there were several BrdU ( + )Insulin( - ) cells and BrdU( + )Insulin( - ) cells in the islets. Conclusion The effect of bone marrow mesenchymal cells transplantation to improve diabetic islet function is more satisfactory than bone marrow mononuclear cells transplantation. Bone marrow mesenchymal cells transplantation can initiate pancreatic islets β cells regeneration by both proliferation of β cells and differentiation of pancreatic stem cells. Key words: Bone marrow mesenchymal cells;  Diabetes mellitus;  Pancreatic islet stem cells; Regeneration