RCERT-Regional Cell Research & Therapy Centre, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat (2026)

03/04/2026

Cheers to another milestone!

RCERT Central has officially joint venture with UTAR establishing a collaborative 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 turning the vision of translational medicine into reality. This research hub will play a pivotal role in upcoming projects and clinical trials bridging the academia and medicine field.

04/03/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗻𝗲𝗲 𝗢𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗼𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀?
___

A 2025 randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial published in Cell Transplantation explored whether a single injection of donor-derived bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) into the knee joint could make a difference.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝗱

24 patients with knee OA were randomly assigned to receive:

• A single injection of allogeneic (donor) BM-MSCs, or
• A placebo (saline).

Patients were followed for 12 months and below are the parameters measured during the course.

∆ Pain and function scores (VAS, WOMAC, KOOS)

∆ MRI scans using advanced T2 cartilage mapping to assess cartilage quality

∆ Safety and side effects

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀?

𝟭. 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻 & 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

∆ At 9 months, the stem cell group showed significantly 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 in 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻 scores compared to placebo.
∆ However, differences between groups were less clear by 12 months, suggesting effects may diminish over time.

𝟮. 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 (𝗠𝗥𝗜 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲)

MRI T2 mapping showed that cartilage in the stem cell group had a 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 in 𝗱𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀, particularly in the medial (inner) knee compartment — the area most commonly affected in OA.

This suggests a 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 on cartilage structure over 12 months.

𝟯. 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆
• 𝗡𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 were reported.
• Some patients experienced temporary knee pain or swelling after injection.
• A few required additional treatments (e.g., corticosteroid injection), but no hospitalisations occurred.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻?

This study suggests that a single intra-articular injection of donor BM-MSCs may:

• Provide meaningful 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳
• Potentially 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (based on MRI findings)
• Be 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 in a controlled clinical setting
However:
• Benefits appeared strongest at 9 months, not clearly sustained at 12 months.

This implies that 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝘀𝗲 might 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 to sustain a prolonged effect or improvement in the knee OA which raises the question, will 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 do 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸?

Well, that is the direction researchers shall be heading towards determining the optimal dosing frequencies to preserve the regenerative effects.

𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨:

Lee B-W, Lee JJ, Jung J-Y, Ju JH. Intra-Articular Injection of Human Bone Marrow–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial. Cell Transplantation. 2025;34. doi:10.1177/09636897241303275

06/02/2026

On 29th January 2026, RCERT has again co-organised the microscopy event but this time around in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

We're anticipating sequels of this event in near future so stay tuned!

29/01/2026

On 27th January 2026, RCERT Central Sdn Bhd had successfully co-organised an event which features the microscopy technology brought about by TIRS Optics Co., Ltd.

This educative workshop had assembled researchers and students from undergraduate to postgraduate whom desire to enhance their competency in research specifically in the nanoparticles field.

The good responses from the participants call for more such events in the future which we are delighted to organise.

23/01/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 - 𝗠𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗮
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Acute kidney injury (AKI) doesn’t just damage the kidneys—it disrupts the mitochondria, the energy factories that tubular cells rely on to survive and repair. New research reveals a crucial molecular protector working behind the scenes: 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘈𝘈𝘚𝘚, a circular RNA.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱?

- 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘈𝘈𝘚𝘚 levels drop sharply in AKI—across ischemia, sepsis, and drug-induced injury.
- This loss leads to mitochondrial failure, excess oxidative stress, inflammation, and ultimately renal fibrosis.
- Restoring 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘈𝘈𝘚𝘚 helps kidney cells recover by rebalancing mitochondrial homeostasis.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝙘𝙞𝙧𝙘𝘼𝘼𝙎𝙎 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸?

- In the cytoplasm, 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘈𝘈𝘚𝘚 boosts mitophagy (the clearance of damaged mitochondria).
- In the nucleus, it stabilizes a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, ensuring new, healthy mitochondria are made.
- Together, these actions protect kidney cells from apoptosis, dampen inflammation, and limit fibrosis.

Though this study highlights the importance of 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘈𝘈𝘚𝘚 in protecting the kidney, their importance still revolves around safeguarding and preserving the mitochondria. In other words, interrupting the AKI-to-CKD progression—still relies on getting the cell’s energy balance fixed.

Mitochondrial health isn’t just cellular housekeeping—it could be the key to preventing chronic kidney disease. Therefore, with reference to previous articles posted, mitochondrial therapy could be a potential treatment or a complementary to 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘈𝘈𝘚𝘚 expression modulation. However, we shall expect more studies to partake in the demonstration of the mitochondrial therapy efficiency.

𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨:

Ma, T., Yu, Y., Luo, H., Zhang, Z., Wei, M., Tian, C., Fan, X., Yan, Z., Zhang, S., Hao, J., & Wang, P. (2026). CircAASS alleviates renal injury and fibrosis by regulating mitochondrial homeostasis in tubular epithelial cells. Autophagy, 22(1), 182–206. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2025.2581212

#𝘼𝙆𝙄 #𝙠𝙞𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙮 #𝙠𝙞𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙮𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 #𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙙𝙮𝙨𝙛𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 #𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙮 #𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙮 #𝙍𝘾𝙀𝙍𝙏

22/01/2026

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗼𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀?
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A newly published study explores a bold, science-driven idea: intra-articular mitochondrial transplantation as a future therapy for osteoarthritis (OA). Chondrocytes in damaged cartilage often suffer from mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to poor energy production, inflammation, and tissue breakdown. Restoring mitochondrial health could help restore cellular balance.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗼?

- Developed a rapid, high-purity method to isolate viable mitochondria from healthy tissue.
- Injected these mitochondria directly into joint environments.
- Tested safety, distribution, and survival using both in vitro (cartilage & synovium explants) and in vivo (mouse knee joint) models.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱?

- Transplanted mitochondria remained viable and functional.
- They were detected in cartilage, synovium, and joint extracellular matrix.
- No evidence of migration to distant organs.
- No signs of local toxicity, inflammation, or structural damage—even weeks after injection.

In previous post, we have seen how 𝗲𝘅𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 help recovery in OA patients. Newly administered 𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙖 are equally effective where they focus on assisting the existing cells reestablish themselves and function normally to 𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙚 𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 while the 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 works on 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

This opens speculation on what will happen if these treatments are combined. Will they pose synergistic effect as we anticipate or vice versa? The science should answer.

𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨:

Vaamonde-Garcia, C.; Hermida-Gomez, T.; Paniagua-Barro, S.; Burguera, E.F.; Blanco, F.J.; Fernandez-Moreno, M. In Vivo and In Vitro Evaluation of the Feasibility and Safety Profiles of Intraarticular Transplantation of Mitochondria for Future Use as a Therapy for Osteoarthritis. 𝘊𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 2025, 14, 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14030151

#𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘰 #𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘢 #𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘺 #𝘖𝘈 #𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯 #𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘴 #𝘙𝘊𝘌𝘙𝘛

08/01/2026

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗞𝗻𝗲𝗲 𝗢𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗼𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻?
___

Probably yes.

Osteoarthritis isn’t just “wear and tear” — it’s driven by chronic inflammation and ongoing cartilage breakdown. A recent study explored a regenerative approach using exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) to address both processes.

In lab and animal models, these stem-cell-derived exosomes reduced inflammatory signals linked to cartilage damage, lowered enzymes that break down joint tissue, and increased markers associated with cartilage repair. Treated joints showed smoother cartilage surfaces and less structural deterioration.

The research also moved into early clinical testing. Patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis received intra-articular injections and were followed for safety and effectiveness. Over time, participants experienced 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 in 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, and 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, with MRI scans induced 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and signs of 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆. Importantly, 𝗻𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 were 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱.

This study supports the idea that hUC-MSC-derived exosomes can modulate inflammation and support cartilage regeneration, offering a potential cell-derived, non-surgical option for early osteoarthritis management.

From bench to bedside, stem-cell-based research continues to expand how we understand and treat joint degeneration.

𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨:

Wang Y, Kong Y, Du J, Qi L, Liu M, Xie S, Hao J, Li M, Cao S, Cui H, Liu A, Ma J, Song Y. Injection of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells exosomes for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: from preclinical to clinical research. J Transl Med. 2025 Jun 11;23(1):641. doi: 10.1186/s12967-025-06623-y. PMID: 40500748; PMCID: PMC12153132.

02/01/2026

𝗠𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗮: 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀
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Mitochondria aren’t just tiny power plants — they’re strategic responders. New research reveals that when glucose levels rise, mitochondria inside pancreatic beta cells 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 themselves, moving closer to the cell’s edge where insulin is released.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴?

High glucose triggers signaling pathways (via calcium, cAMP, and PKA). These signals drive mitochondria along microtubules toward the cell periphery (cell membrane), the site of immediate insulin release. This movement happens independently of ATP production — it’s about 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, not just energy output.

𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆:

• Disrupt microtubules → mitochondria stop moving outward
• Suppress cAMP/PKA signaling → peripheral mitochondria disappear
• Shut down ATP synthesis → mitochondria still reposition

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀:

By relocating closer to insulin release sites, mitochondria may fine-tune insulin secretion — not only by supplying energy, but by regulating local calcium and signaling dynamics.

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆:

This study highlights that mitochondrial repositioning within pancreatic beta cells is essential for efficient insulin release—and ultimately for whole-body glucose control. Just as important as the movement itself are the mitochondria involved in the process. When functional mitochondria are reduced or impaired, these coordinated signaling and transport mechanisms break down, potentially worsening diabetes or even triggering its development.

𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨:

Perez et al., Mitochondrial position responds to glucose stimulation in a model of the pancreatic beta cell, Biophysical Journal (2026), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2025.11.018 inside pancreatic beta cells actively reposition themselves, moving closer to the cell’s edge where insulin is released.

#𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙖 #𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙨 #𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙮 #𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 #𝙜𝙡𝙪𝙘𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙡 #𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙞𝙣 #𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙨 #𝙍𝘾𝙀𝙍𝙏

26/12/2025

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗹𝘇𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗴𝘀
__

Most current Alzheimer’s drugs focus on removing amyloid plaques from the brain. While this approach can slightly slow decline, it often comes with significant side effects, including:

- Brain swelling or bleeding
- Infusion reactions
- Limited benefit to patients’ daily function

Now, a new 𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝟮𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 is exploring a different path: mesenchymal stem cell (𝗠𝗦𝗖) therapy.

Instead of attacking plaques, stem cells work by protecting and repairing the brain. In patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease, stem cell treatment showed:

- A 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 (no amyloid-related brain swelling or bleeding)
- 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲, especially in memory centers like the hippocampus
- 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
- 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 in 𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and daily living compared to placebo

The key difference?

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗴𝘀 try to 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 aim to 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 —by supporting blood vessels, calming inflammation, and strengthening brain resilience.

While this isn’t a cure and larger trials are still needed, the findings point to a powerful shift in Alzheimer’s care: from 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 to 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿.

𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨:
Rash BG, Ramdas KN, Agafonova N, Naioti E, McClain-Moss L, Zainul Z, Varnado B, Peterson K, Brown M, Leal T, Kopcho S, Carballosa R, Patel P, Brody M, Herskowitz B, Fuquay A, Rodriguez S, Jacobson AF, Leon R, Pfeffer M, Schwartzbard JB, Botbyl J, Oliva AA Jr, Hare JM. Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell therapy with laromestrocel in mild Alzheimer's disease: a randomized controlled phase 2a trial. Nat Med. 2025 Apr;31(4):1257-1266. doi: 10.1038/s41591-025-03559-0. Epub 2025 Mar 10. PMID: 40065171; PMCID: PMC12003194.

18/12/2025

Stem Cells Could Be Helpful for Fat-Driven Diabetes

Insulin resistance isn’t just about sugar. Fat may be sending the wrong messages inside the body.

A high-fat diet doesn’t only lead to weight gain—it can change how the gut talks to the liver, affecting how the body responds to insulin. Our gut cells release tiny “message bubbles” called exosomes. When we consume too much fat, these messages change. Instead of carrying healthy signals, they deliver lipid signals that disrupt insulin’s job.

These altered messages travel to the liver and:
- Block normal insulin signaling
- Trigger inflammation
- Make cells less responsive to insulin

The result? Insulin resistance, a key step toward type 2 diabetes.

What’s even more surprising is that the same harmful messages are found in people with type 2 diabetes—and when those messages are removed, insulin signaling improves. This tells us the problem isn’t just sugar or calories—it’s how fat changes communication inside the body.

Taking note on the effects, reducing inflammation may help restore insulin sensitivity. Mesenchymal stem cells and their natural exosomes, known for calming inflammation, could be beneficial in supporting healthier insulin signaling.

Therefore, stem cell therapy alongside smarter dietary choices, especially limiting excess fat intake could be the way to contain your diabetes.

Resources: Kumar, A., Sundaram, K., Mu, J. et al. High-fat diet-induced upregulation of exosomal phosphatidylcholine contributes to insulin resistance. Nat Commun 12, 213 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20500-w

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