Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has been rapidly spreading. Several guideline therapies have been proposed as a possible treatment for SARS-CoV-2, however, these therapies are not sufficient to treat a severe condition of SARS-CoV-2 infection characterised by the increase of D-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and patchy ground-glass opacities (GGOs). Secretome-mesenchymal stem cells (S-MSCs) produced by MSCs under hypoxia could excessively release several anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors to control the COVID-19 cytokine storm and accelerate lung injury improvement. This is the first study investigating the clinical outcomes of three severe COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of three different hospitals in Indonesia treated with S-MSCs. The decrease of D-dimer and CRP level was reported for all patients treated with S-MSCs. This was in line with improvement of pulmonary radiology, blood gas level, and hematologic assessment. In conclusion, these cases suggest that S-MSCs could effectively control D-dimer, CRP level and GGOs of severe COVID-19 patients associated with recovered pulmonary function.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has been rapidly spreading. Several guideline therapies have been proposed as a possible treatment for SARS-CoV-2, however, these therapies are not sufficient to treat a severe condition of SARS-CoV-2 infection characterised by the increase of D-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and patchy ground-glass opacities (GGOs). Secretome-mesenchymal stem cells (S-MSCs) produced by MSCs under hypoxia could excessively release several anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors to control the COVID-19 cytokine storm and accelerate lung injury improvement. This is the first study investigating the clinical outcomes of three severe COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of three different hospitals in Indonesia treated with S-MSCs. The decrease of D-dimer and CRP level was reported for all patients treated with S-MSCs. This was in line with improvement of pulmonary radiology, blood gas level, and hematologic assessment. In conclusion, these cases suggest that S-MSCs could effectively control D-dimer, CRP level and GGOs of severe COVID-19 patients associated with recovered pulmonary function.

Introduction: Diabetes is a heterogeneous group of metabolic diseases characterized by elevated blood glucose due to autoimmune disorder or a combination of insulin resistance and insulin deficiency. VEGF and PDGF are the main actors in the regeneration of damaged pancreatic tissue. However, the prolonged release of these molecules may induce fibrosis formation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a high potential to regenerate damaged pancreatic tissue by releasing PDGF and VEGF. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of MSCs on the levels of PDGF and VEGF on days 2 and 44 in diabetic mice and determine the number of pancreatic islet cells and blood glucose levels. Materials and methods: This study used a post-control group design with animals divided into five groups: sham, control, and three treatment groups (P) which were given MSCs at doses of 1.5×105, 3×105, and 6×105 cells. The levels of PDGF, VEGF, and blood glucose were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while the number of pancreatic islet cells was analyzed using H&E staining. Results: This study showed a significant increase of VEGF and PDGF levels on day 2 and a significant increase in islet cell percentages on day 44 in line with the decreased blood glucose level. However, there was no difference between VEGF and PDGF levels on day 44. Conclusions: MSCs regulate PDGF and VEGF levels in wound healing phases and remodel pancreatic islet β-cells regeneration to control blood glucose in diabetic model mice.

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases, the common finding of which is elevated blood glucose levels, known as hyperglycemia. Severe hyperglycemia causes classic symptoms such as polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia and unexplained weight loss. This study used an observational descriptive analytic method with a cross sectional design to 42 respondents of type 2 Diabetes mellitus patients at PKU Muhammadiyah Gamping Hospital. The blood sugar levels, HbA1C, height, weight and incidence of diabetic foot ulcers were recorded. Data analysis used the Chi-Square test to see the relationship between obesity and the incidence of diabetic foot ulcers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The results of the study on 42 respondents showed that there were 31 Diabetes mellitus patients with diabetic foot ulcers (73.8%) while 11 people (26.2%). There were 21 male patients (50%) and 21 female patients (50%). A total of study subjects with normal Body Mass Index had type 2 diabetes mellitus with complications of diabetic foot ulcers (77.8%.), 13 study subjects with overweight Body Mass Index experienced type 2 diabetes mellitus with complications of diabetic foot ulcers (61.9%.), 11 study subjects with Body Mass Index obese class 1 had type 2 diabetes mellitus with complications of diabetic foot ulcers (91.7%). In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications of diabetic foot ulcers with normal Body Mass Index, there were 2 people (22.8%.) In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications of diabetic foot ulcers with Body Mass Index overweight, there were 8 people (38.1%). Then in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications of diabetic foot ulcers with Body Mass Index obesity class 1 obtained 1 person (8.3%). The Chi-Square test was performed and the p value = 0.166. There is no significant relationship between obesity and the incidence of diabetic foot ulcers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.