# Exploring Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as a Potential Therapy for Comorbid Osteoarthritis and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

**Authors:** Meiling Liu, Siyi Xie, Yajie Kong, Yiming Yang, Ruixue Chen, Yuzhong Wang, Shuxing Cao, Yongzhou Song

PMC · DOI: 10.1155/sci/2681413 · Stem Cells International · 2025-12-13

## TL;DR

This review explores whether mesenchymal stem cells can treat both osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes, which often occur together.

## Contribution

The paper evaluates the potential of MSC therapy for comorbid osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes.

## Key findings

- MSCs show potential in repairing cartilage and reducing blood glucose levels.
- MSC therapy may be effective in treating T2DM complicated with OA.
- Further studies are needed to confirm safety and feasibility.

## Abstract

In recent years, the incidence rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and osteoarthritis (OA) have increased significantly. Currently developed therapeutic approaches (e.g., pharmacotherapy) exhibit limited efficacy in the treatment of T2DM and OA, failing to fully restore joint function and pancreatic islet function. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated substantial potential in repairing cartilage damage, reducing blood glucose levels, and other related aspects.

This review aims to evaluate whether MSC therapy represents a potential therapeutic strategy for T2DM complicated with OA.

This review highlights the association between OA and T2DM and summarizes the applications of MSCs in the treatment of OA and T2DM, the potential mechanisms of MSCs, as well as relevant therapeutic strategies.

MSC therapy may exert therapeutic effects in models of T2DM complicated with OA. This approach is expected to serve as an innovative and effective therapeutic method, promoting research on stromal cells and their applications. However, further studies are still required to verify its safety and feasibility.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** type 2 diabetes mellitus (MONDO:0005148), osteoarthritis (MONDO:0005178)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** cartilage damage (MESH:D002357), T2DM (MESH:D003924), OA (MESH:D010003)
- **Chemicals:** blood glucose (MESH:D001786)

## Full text

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## Figures

6 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12767407/full.md

## References

97 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12767407/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12767407