Figure 7
Infusion of BM-MSCs ameliorated hyperglycemia and promoted the restoration of pancreatic islet and β cells in T2D rats. Seven days after STZ injection, 2 × 106 BM-MSCs suspended in 0.2 ml physiological saline were injected into T2D rats via tail vein, whereas untreated T2D rats received only 0.2 ml physiological saline. (a) Blood glucose level was determined in alert, fasted rats. (b and c) Insulin and C-peptide levels in fasted and re-fed rats were evaluated by ELISA. (d) Pancreas histology was studied in H–E-stained sections. Scale bar, 100 μm. (e) Pancreatic islets were characterized by immunofluorescence according to the presence and distribution of insulin- (red) and glucagon-producing (green) cells. Scale bar, 100 μm. (f) Pancreatic islets observed in immunofluorescence-stained sections were quantified in T2D rats that received BM-MSC infusion. (g) β Cells in pancreatic islets were quantified in BM-MSC-treated T2D rats. Values are means±S.E. (n=10 rats per group). *P<0.05, **P<0.01 versus T2D rats
