Picture of Adult Stem Cell

IntroductionIntroduction

Diabetes is an illness that affects the metabolism of insulin. About 16 million people are affected by this disease. A third of that affected population do not know they are living with this condition. Diabetes affects blood glucose levels due to a diabetics’ insulin production. Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells located in the pancreas.

Types of DiabetesTypes of Diabetes

There are three types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational. Type 1 occurs when too little or no insulin is produced in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetics have low blood glucose levels. When too much insulin is produced in the pancreas or it cannot be used efficiently, this leads to Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 is related to high blood glucose levels. Gestational diabetes is developed during pregnancy.

Types of DiabetesTypes of DiabetesType 1 Type 2 Gestational

What Happens

Too little or no insulin is produced; Low blood glucose levels

Insulin is produced, but not used efficiently; High blood glucose levels

Develops during pregnancy

Risks Childredn and young adults

Family history of diabetes, overweight, over age 40, diabetes during pregnancy

women over age 25, overweight, delivered baby of >9lb.

Symptoms

Excessive urination/ thirst/ hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, loss of feeling in hands and feet, feeling tired

same same

Treatment

Insulin injections Meter testing Insulin pump

Insulin may be used Meter testing Healthy diet

Insulin may be used Meter testing Healthy diet

Possible SolutionPossible Solution

Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. This malady can lead to excessive thirst and hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, nerve damage, heart failure, kidney damage, and death. A cure for diabetes could change innumerable lives that are suffering with this disease.

The use of stem cells is a debatable issue today in the world of technology. If more information about these cells is discovered with more research, they might be able to cure diseases like diabetes that was once incurable.

What are stem cells?Stem cells are unspecialized

cells that are originally locatedinside the inner mass of theblastocyst. Stem cells startdeveloping in the fetus and willgradually become the specializedcells that create organs andtissues. They consist of nospecific tissue structures;however, they have the potentialto become specialized cellssuch as blood cells or nerve cells.

Nerve Cells

Red & White Blood Cells

Stem cells are unspecialized. They are not capable of

performing the certain tasks which differentiated cells are

developed to do; they can only “give rise” to specialized

cells. Stem cells renew themselves through a process

called proliferation, prolong cellular division until they

are signaled to become specialized. The cell’s genes,

chemicals, and physical contact with nearby cells signal

when to start dividing. Stem cells also become specialized

upon injury or disease. Researchers and scientists work

with embryonic and adult stem cells.

What are adult stem cells?

Adult stem cells are unspecialized cells found in differentiated tissue and organs that are responsible to maintain and repair tissue where they are found. Adult stem cells are multipotent. They are capable of becoming various cell types depending on the surrounding environment. For example, adult stem cells found in bone marrow can differentiate into bone cells, fat cells, or cardiac muscle cells.

Adult Stem Cell Differentiation

Picture of possible differentiation for adult stem cells in bone marrow

What are embryonic stem cells?

Embryonic stem cells are unspecialized cells that are located in the inner mass of the blastocyst, a preimplanted embryo consisting about 150 cells. Embryonic cells are pluripotent cells. They can differentiate into any differentiated cell type in the body. This process is called plasticity. One example is differentiating into a blood or nerve cell. Scientists have considered this to occur in adult stem cells as well.

In Vitro Process

• A cell culture of an embryonic stem cell is created

•In vitro growth of cells using an artificial medium that has nutrients to feed cells to enable them to grow.

•Produce a clone

In Vitro Process

Inject stem cell lines (clone) in patient

Clone cells will grow in injured tissue or organ

This process could be used to make insulin producing cells for a cure for type 1 diabetesAnd other diseases like Parkinson’s disease,heart disease,spinal cord injury, hearing loss,and Alzheimer’s disease.

Current Stem Cell Uses Today

Adult Stem Cell Transplant Using Bone Marrow Stem Cells

Patients’ cells are replaced by a donors’ stem cells

Produce new leukocytes to replace injured cells

Current Stem Cell Uses Today

Adult Stem Cell Transplant Using Peripheral Blood Stem Cells

Stem cells collected from drawn blood

Later transplanted

Current Stem Cell Uses Today

Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplant

The umbilical cord is another good source that contains many stem cells that can be used to treat illnesses just as well as embryonic stem cells.

The IssueThe Issue

The main problem with this approach The main problem with this approach toto

cure these illnesses is the use of embryoniccure these illnesses is the use of embryonic

stem cells and how they are derived. stem cells and how they are derived.

PROS CONSUse of patients' own stem cells can reduce the possibility of immune rejection

Insulin pump can be used by diabetics instead of them receiving stem cell treatment

Embryonic stem cell studies can possibly create a better understanding of how diseases arise and discover new methods for therapy

Ethical Issue - The use of embryonic stem cells is viewed as sacrificing a potential human life. It is not moral to develop a culture of embryonic stem cells just for scientific research.

Stem cells can be used to test drugs - Before new drugs can be sold, they can be injected into a stem cell to see how it will be effected

Federal funding for research is needed

Can be used for cell-based therapies

Stem cell research is relatively new. Scientists still have questions regarding to the nature of stem cells

Possible outcome

Red Blood Cell Nerve Cell

Stem Cell