Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Chinese Scientists Could Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Through Stem Cell Therapy

For the longest we have been told that Type-2 <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/diabetes">diabetes</a></span> though can be maintained, cannot be fully reversed. However, Chinese scientists may have found a cure, thanks to stem cell therapy. Chinese scientists have achieved the first case in the world in reversal of type-2 diabetes. 

<h2>What Is <span rel="noindex">Type 2 <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/diabetes">Diabetes</a></span>?</h2>

Diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels. It develops when the pancreas either doesn't produce enough insulin, doesn't produce any insulin at all, or when the body doesn't respond properly to insulin, a condition known as insulin resistance.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and occurs when your body doesn't use insulin properly. The risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increases if you are overweight or obese, or if you have a family history of the condition.

First, researchers collected stem cells, either from the patient’s own body or from a donor. These cells are valuable because they can develop into many different specialised cell types and take over specific biological functions.

In the laboratory, scientists exposed the stem cells to carefully designed chemical signals and genetic instructions. This guided them to become pancreatic islet cells, more precisely, beta cells, the body’s natural insulin-producing cells.

Once reprogrammed, the cells were grown into small clusters that resemble real pancreatic tissue damaged in diabetes. These clusters are capable of sensing blood sugar levels and releasing insulin when required.

Next came transplantation. The insulin-producing clusters were implanted into the patient’s body, in this case, the abdomen. After implantation, they connected to the bloodstream and began functioning within the body.

After transplantation, the new cells begin behaving like healthy pancreatic beta cells. They sense rising blood glucose levels and release insulin in response, helping bring sugar levels down naturally and reducing, or sometimes removing, the need for insulin injections.

Doctors then closely monitor the patient over time to make sure the cells survive, continue producing insulin, and do not trigger immune rejection or other complications.

This approach falls under regenerative medicine, where the goal is not just to manage type-2 diabetes but to repair the underlying problem by rebuilding the body’s insulin-producing ability.

The early outcome is encouraging, but caution is essential. The success comes from a single case, and that alone cannot prove the treatment works broadly. Larger clinical trials across diverse patient groups are necessary to confirm both safety and effectiveness before it can be considered a reliable therapy.

<h2>Why Does This Study Matters Especially For India?</h2>

Many experts have recognized India as the diabetes capital, with type-2 diabetes being the most common cost. Globally, diabetes affects about 90 million adults between the ages 20 to 70 years, with over 90 per cent of these cases are of type-2 diabetes. India had 89.8 million adults between ages 20 to 79 years living with diabetes in 2024 and the numbers are expected to increase to 100 million by the end of 2026. This is why this stem cell therapy could prove to be of great help in controlling the numbers, especially for insulin-dependent patients.

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For the longest we have been told that Type-2 diabetes though can be maintained, cannot be fully reversed. However, Chinese scientists may have found a cure, thanks to stem cell therapy. Chinese scientists have achieved the first case in the world in reversal of type-2 diabetes. What Is Type 2 Diabetes?Diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels. It develops when the pancreas either doesn't produce enough insulin, doesn't produce any insulin at all, or when the body doesn't respond properly to insulin, a condition known as insulin resistance.Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and occurs when your body doesn't use insulin properly. The risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increases if you are overweight or obese, or if you have a family history of the condition.What Did The Study Find?First, researchers collected stem cells, either from the patient’s own body or from a donor. These cells are valuable because they can develop into many different specialised cell types and take over specific biological functions.In the laboratory, scientists exposed the stem cells to carefully designed chemical signals and genetic instructions. This guided them to become pancreatic islet cells, more precisely, beta cells, the body’s natural insulin-producing cells.Once reprogrammed, the cells were grown into small clusters that resemble real pancreatic tissue damaged in diabetes. These clusters are capable of sensing blood sugar levels and releasing insulin when required.Next came transplantation. The insulin-producing clusters were implanted into the patient’s body, in this case, the abdomen. After implantation, they connected to the bloodstream and began functioning within the body.After transplantation, the new cells begin behaving like healthy pancreatic beta cells. They sense rising blood glucose levels and release insulin in response, helping bring sugar levels down naturally and reducing, or sometimes removing, the need for insulin injections.Doctors then closely monitor the patient over time to make sure the cells survive, continue producing insulin, and do not trigger immune rejection or other complications.This approach falls under regenerative medicine, where the goal is not just to manage type-2 diabetes but to repair the underlying problem by rebuilding the body’s insulin-producing ability.The early outcome is encouraging, but caution is essential. The success comes from a single case, and that alone cannot prove the treatment works broadly. Larger clinical trials across diverse patient groups are necessary to confirm both safety and effectiveness before it can be considered a reliable therapy.Why Does This Study Matters Especially For India?Many experts have recognized India as the diabetes capital, with type-2 diabetes being the most common cost. Globally, diabetes affects about 90 million adults between the ages 20 to 70 years, with over 90 per cent of these cases are of type-2 diabetes. India had 89.8 million adults between ages 20 to 79 years living with diabetes in 2024 and the numbers are expected to increase to 100 million by the end of 2026. This is why this stem cell therapy could prove to be of great help in controlling the numbers, especially for insulin-dependent patients.