Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemic and disorders of carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism due to abnormalities in insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity or both. Based on previous research, Wharton's Jelly's mesenchymal stem cells have anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory properties that can improve metabolic control and have the ability to differentiate into pancreatic lineage cells that function as insulin-producing cells in vitro culture. The purpose of this study was to prove that administration of mesenchymal stem cells Wharton's Jelly can increase the number of pancreatic beta cells and reduce fasting blood glucose levels in male rats (Rattus norvegicus) Wistar strain of diabetes mellitus.
Methods: The research design used was pure experimental with post-test only control group design using 36 white male rats. All samples were induced with Streptozotocin and Nicotinamide. The selected samples were divided into two groups: the control group given glibenclamide + 0.9% NaCl, and the treatment group was given glibenclamide + mesenchymal stem cells from Wharton's Jelly. Calculation of the number of pancreatic beta cells and measurement of blood glucose levels were carried out after 14 days of treatment.
Result: The results showed that the treatment group had a higher number of pancreatic beta cells than the control group (105.17 ± 16.379 cells/field of view vs. 54.00 ± 11.366 cells/field of view) (p <0.001). In addition, the treatment group had lower fasting blood glucose levels than the control group (109.06 ± 16.71 mg/dl vs 122.78 ± 10.14 mg / dl) (p <0.05).
Conclusion: It was concluded that intravenous administration of Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells increased the number of pancreatic beta cells and decreased fasting blood glucose levels in male rats (Rattus norvegicus) Wistar strain of diabetes mellitus.