Treatment of diabetes mellitus | Overview including symptoms and causes

Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by insufficient control of blood sugar levels, which, if left untreated, may lead to life-threatening complications, such as blindness, dialysis, and myocardial infarction. In recent years, stem cell therapy has attracted attention as a new medical technology, in addition to therapeutic approaches mainly comprising medication and diet/exercise therapy. It shows promise in controlling disease progression or improving insulin-secretory function.
In this article, we present basic knowledge about diabetes mellitus; we explain the symptoms, causes, and conventional treatments, as well as how stem cell therapy is currently applied for treating diabetes. To manage diabetes mellitus, we encourage you to use this information to find a treatment that fits your needs.

What is diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that chronically increases blood sugar levels (i.e., blood glucose concentration). Sugar accumulates in the blood when insufficient insulin secretion or action or when insulin resistance makes glucose uptake into cells difficult. With the increasing number of patients worldwide, diabetes mellitus is positioned as a representative lifestyle disease. Additionally, in Japan, the patient population has been estimated at 20 million, including patients at risk, making it a serious health issue. Diabetes mellitus is mainly classified into two types:

• Type 1 diabetes mellitus: As β cells that secrete insulin in the pancreas are destroyed by autoimmunity, etc., almost no insulin is produced. Disease onset often occurs early in life.
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus: Insufficient insulin secretion or action, due to lifestyle factors (e.g., excessive diet, lack of exercise, obesity) or genetic factors, leads to hyperglycemia. In Japan, most patients are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Unlike type 1 diabetes mellitus, which is characterized by extremely low insulin secretion, type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin secretion that does not meet the physiological demand, resulting in impaired blood sugar control.
*1

*1 Reference: Diabetes and Metabolism Information Center, Japan Institute for Health Security

Symptoms of diabetes mellitus

The early stages of diabetes mellitus display few subjective symptoms, and the disease often progresses unnoticed. However, when blood sugar levels remain elevated, the following symptoms are more likely to appear.

• Polyuria/dry mouth: Because the body tries to excrete excess sugar into the urine when blood sugar levels are high, the urine output increases, and thirst frequently occurs.
• Malaise/fatigue: Patients feel dull and get tired easily because glucose, which is a source of energy, is not smoothly taken into cells.
• Weight loss: Patients may lose weight because insulin insufficiency impairs the uptake of nutrients into cells (particularly in type 1 diabetes mellitus).
• Reduced visual acuity: Retinopathy may occur when high blood sugar levels affect the retina, possibly causing blurred vision or sudden vision impairment.
• Susceptibility to infection: In the hyperglycemic state, the immune system is weakened, which predisposes patients to infection of the skin and urinary tract.

Other symptoms include:
・Neurological disorders
・Renal impairment
・Hormone imbalance
・Skin necrosis and skin ulcer

Progression of these symptoms can lead to irreversible complications, such as blindness, renal failure requiring dialysis, gait abnormality, and neurological disorders. Routine physical examinations and blood sugar checks are particularly important.
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*2 Reference:The Japan Diabetes Society

Causes of diabetes mellitus

The development of diabetes mellitus, especially type 2, is largely related to lifestyle and genetic factors. Major causes include the following factors:

• Unbalanced diet and overeating: The preference for a high-calorie/high-fat diet and frequent snacking make it easier to increase blood sugar levels.
• Lack of exercise: Living without muscle use promotes decreased insulin sensitivity, making it difficult to lower the blood sugar levels.
• Obesity: Increasing body fat increases insulin resistance, thereby increasing the risk of diabetes mellitus.
• Stress: Stress hormones increase blood sugar levels, and long-term stress may increase the risk of diabetes mellitus.
• Genetic factors: People who have parents or siblings with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus themselves.

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*3: Reference: Hirooka Clinic

Stem cell therapy as a promising radical treatment for diabetes mellitus

The treatment of diabetes mellitus is based on diet therapy, exercise therapy, and drug therapy, with stem cell therapy being an advanced therapeutic approach that has attracted attention in recent years. This approach has the potential to regenerate damaged pancreatic β cells or improve insulin secretion, raising the expectations for improvement of diabetes mellitus.

What is stem cell therapy?

Stem cells possess the ability to differentiate into various cells while replicating themselves. In the field of regenerative medicine, research using stem cells to regenerate damaged tissues is currently underway. This approach is being explored as a potential treatment strategy for diabetes mellitus, with an aim to regenerate insulin-secreting pancreatic β cells or modulate the body’s internal environment to enhance blood sugar control.

Advantages of stem cell therapy

Stem cell therapy has attracted attention in the context of diabetes mellitus treatment, because of the following reasons:

• Targeted approach: It may be possible to fundamentally improve insulin secretion by restoring the function of pancreatic β cells.
• Reduced risk of complications: Stabilization of blood sugar levels may stop the progression to complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy.
• Reduced amount of drugs: If the patient’s condition improves, insulin injections and the dose of hypoglycemic drugs administered may be reduced.

Reasons why stem cell therapy is effective

Stem cells not only repair and regenerate cells but also secrete substances that suppress inflammation, thereby supporting the recovery of surrounding tissues. In diabetes mellitus, insulin action in the body is insufficient; the administration of stem cells is expected to improve the condition of blood vessels and the pancreas and also promote insulin secretion. However, whether the therapeutic effect is guaranteed for all patients with diabetes mellitus is still under investigation, and it is necessary to consider differences between individuals.

Flow of treatment at the Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation

At the Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation, the following steps are taken when administering stem cell therapy for diabetes mellitus:

1. Initial consultation and tests: Based on the patient’s medical history and current status of blood sugar control, we will decide whether stem cell therapy is appropriate or not. The blood test and other tests are performed to check for any pre-existing complications.
2. Stem cell extraction and culture: Stem cells are collected from bone marrow and fat tissue and then cultured and expanded in a dedicated facility. Adjustments are made under strict quality control to ensure safety and efficacy.
3. Administration of stem cells: Stem cells are returned to the body by methods such as intravenous infusion. The treatment plan varies according to the patient’s symptoms and wishes, and multiple doses may be administered.
4. Observation and follow-up: After treatment, we will regularly monitor blood sugar levels and insulin secretion status, and medication and dietary instructions will be reviewed as needed. The optimal treatment will continue while monitoring changes in symptoms and the presence or absence of adverse reactions.

Possibility of treating diabetes mellitus with stem cells

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic hyperglycemic condition, is associated with an elevated risk of complications. In recent years, in addition to diet/exercise therapy and drug therapy, novel approaches such as stem cell therapy have attracted attention. Given that improvement in insulin secretion and restoration of vascular function are expected, there is room for considering stem cell therapy as an option to prevent complications and aim for better quality of life. However, stem cell therapy may not be an universal solution for all patients, and sufficient consultation with physicians is necessary.

The Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation offers stem cell-based regenerative medicine as a medical institution approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. *4

If you are interested in stem cell therapy, please contact our hospital for consultation.
The Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation carefully selects evidence-based treatment and offers regenerative medicine according to each individual’s concerns based on novel comprehensive treatment strategies. To optimize the results, a combination of oral therapy, such as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or peptide therapy, and stem cell therapy may be used according to the patient’s wishes.

*4 Source:Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation – a stem cell therapy clinic in Tokyo

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[1] Therapeutic Method
The treatment involves harvesting and culturing stem cells from the patient’s adipose tissue and then injecting them locally to the affected area or administering the cells via intravenous infusion.
[2] Risk of side effects
At the time of fat collection: Adverse reactions, such as internal bleeding, swelling, postoperative infection, postoperative scar, and pain at the injection site, may be observed.
At the time of stem cell administration: Adverse reactions, such as pain at the injection site, allergic reaction, and pulmonary embolism, may be observed.
[3] Contact information
The Regenerative Medicine Division, Korokai Medical Corporation
Precious 18 5F, 4-14-6 Minami-azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
TEL:03-6277-4650
[4] Pricing
This treatment is a private therapeutic strategy that is not covered by public health insurance. It will cost about 1.65 million yen including tax (which may vary depending on diagnosis).
Please contact us for further details.
[5] Route of acquisition
Stem cells are cultured at the affiliated CPC.
[6] Presence or absence of devices/drugs approved for the indications in Japan
No approved drugs for the indications are available in Japan.
[7] Safety information from other countries
There are no reports on safety in other countries.
*Significant risks may not have been identified.
[8] The fact that it has not been approved
Drugs used in this treatment are yet to receive approval in accordance with the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act.
[9] Unapproved drugs/devices
Public aid systems (such as Relief Systems for Adverse Drug Reactions and Infections Acquired through Biological Products) are not applicable to unapproved drugs and devices.
[10] Notification of regenerative medicine provision plans
To perform this treatment, we have submitted the notification of regenerative medicine provision plans to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in accordance with the Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class 2 Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan No. PB3210146
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class 2 Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan No. PB3230187
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class 2 Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan No. PB3240017
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class 2 Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan No. PB3230218