THE EFFECT OF GLUCOSE ON GROWTH OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS DERIVED FROM UMBILICAL CORDS OF NORMAL AND GESTATIONAL DIABETIC MOTHERS.

Objective: To explore the effects of glucose concentration on the growth of Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cords of gestational diabetic mothers (DWJMSCs) and normal mothers (NWJMSCs). Methods: NWJMSCs and DWJMSCs were treated at passage 3 with low (5.5mM) or high glucose. Cells’ growth was evaluated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium uptake and cytotoxicity by LDH release. Status of oxidative stress was estimated by the release of stress enzymes, i.e., glutathione s transferase (GSH) and catalase. Results: The results of cells’ growth assays indicated a significant increase in proliferation in DWJMSCs when treated with high glucose as compared to low glucose while the opposite was found in NWJMSCs. Conversely, cytotoxicity was lower in DWJMSCs treated with 25mM glucose while it was increased in NWJMSCs at the same concentration and vice-versa. Both groups of cells exhibited similar behavior in the release of antioxidant enzymes, i.e., GSH reduced in both cell types at 25mM glucose while no difference was observed in catalase activity. Conclusion: Growth of DWJMSCs is enhanced at high glucose concentrations while it is reduced in NWJMSCs.