Stroke Risk in Diabetes | Regenerative Approach

Diabetes or hyperglycemia significantly increases the risk of developing stroke. It causes significant damage in neural cells and is associated with other mortality and morbidity. Adults with diabetes are 1.5 to 2.0 times more likely to get strokes later in life. Stroke Risk in Diabetes occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked. This can be caused either by the blockage of blood vessels or a burst. There is significant damage in the brain tissue that leads to:

Memory loss
Difficulty in speaking, thinking, or paying attention
Pain
Numbness or paralysis
Depression
Stroke associated mortality

Ask The Expert

How Does Diabetes Cause Stroke?

With diabetes, the body’s ability to process food, specifically glucose, is compromised. The body has compromised ability to make insulin, which leads to sugar buildup in the blood. Over time, blood vessels are damaged. Adults with diabetes often experience symptoms that lead to stroke:

Obesity/ Overweight
Cardiovascular disease
Hypertension
Higher cholesterol

Some of the diabetes-stroke symptoms and signs include:

Dizziness, trouble with walking or balance
Severe or sudden headache
Sudden confusion
Trouble seeing or double vision
Weakness or numbness in one body part

How Stroke Risk in Diabetes Increases at the Cellular Level?

The Stroke Risk in Diabetes increases due to:

Diabetes Accelerates Vascular Damage.

Persistent hyperglycemia damages the inner linings of the blood vessels (endothelium)
Endothelium dysfunction reduces vessel elasticity, compromising blood flow
Increased oxidative stress and inflammation weaken vascular walls
Early development of microvascular and marcovascular complication

Role of Chronic Hyperglycemia in Atherosclerosis

High glucose promotes the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs)
AGEs trigger lipid accumulation and inflammation
Alters lipid metabolism, increases LDL oxidation
Promote plaque formation, arterial narrowing

Why do People with Diabetes Face a Higher Stroke Risk?

Hyperglycemia accompanied by hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia
Altered blood vessels increase vulnerability (leading to blockage and ruptures)
Compromised platelet function increases clot formation
Increases the likelihood and stroke severity

What are the Common Stroke Types Seen in Diabetic Patients?

Ischemic Stroke

The majority of diabetes-associated stroke cases
Blockage of blood vessels supplying blood to the brain
Accelerates plaque formation, arterial narrowing
Diabetes associated platelet dysfunction increases the risk of clot formation

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Hemorrhagic stroke symptoms and signs involve ruptured blood vessels in the brain
Prolonged hyperglycemia weakens vascular integrity over time
Hemorrhagic strokes are more severe

What are Stroke Symptoms and Signs?

It is essential to understand stroke symptoms and signs to opt for timely treatment. The identification involves:

F- Face Dropping, occurs at one side of the face
A- Arm Weakness, weakness in the limb
S- Speech, difficulty in speaking or understanding
T- Time to call the doctor

*In case of diabetes patients, the stroke symptoms remained atypical. They are presented at a later stage.

Stroke Treatment in India: Current Medical & Surgical Approaches

Brain Stroke Treatment in India majorly involves various surgical and rehabilitation interventions:

Emergency Stroke Care and Thrombolytic Therapy

Rapid assessment includes CT and MRI
Administration of Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy (tPA)
In case of larger clots, mechanical thrombectomy
Strict regular monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar, and oxygen levels.

Surgical Interventions

In hemorrhagic stroke, neurosurgical interventions are introduced to control bleeding and reduce intracranial pressure
Surgical clipping or endovascular coiling for ruptured aneurysms.
In intracerebral haemorrhage, hematoma evacuation
Intensive care support to prevent secondary injury
Regular management of blood pressure, sugar and oxygen support

Rehabilitation

The long-term management involves rehabilitation and the involvement of a multidisciplinary team
This involves physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy
Long-term management involves check of diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol
Lifestyle modification, dietary Intervention, and medication adherence

How Stem Cells Help Address Stroke Risk in Diabetes

Conventional Treatments Have Limitations in Neural Repair.

Current stroke primarily focuses on blood flow restoration and the prevention of further damage
Does not replace damaged neuronal cells
Does not repair compromised neural networks
With acute treatment, secondary damage, including inflammation and oxidative stress, continues

Role of Stem Cells in Neuroprotection and Regeneration

Stem cells for stroke secrete neurotrophic factors, protect surviving neurons
Supports brain cell survival in ischemic penumbra
Promotes functional recovery, enhances neural plasticity
Paracrine signaling (anti-inflammation, antioxidation, immunomodulation) promotes a regenerative microenvironment
Neuronal replacement promoted by new neural cell regeneration

Stem Cells for Stroke: Working Mechanisms

Stem cells stimulate angiogenesis and improve the blood supply in injured brain areas
Modulates immune response, reduces chronic inflammation, and prevents secondary damage
Growth factors release supports synaptic remodeling
Improved vasculature promotes neural connectivity

Stem Cells for Stroke: Current Research and Clinical Progress

Preclinical & Early Clinical Findings

Research on animal studies showed improved functional recovery and a reduction in infarct size
Showed neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.
Early clinical trials showed safety and adaptability in selected patients.
Significant improvements in motor and cognitive function

Stem Cell Types for Stroke Recovery

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are mainly used for their immunomodulatory characteristics
Bone marrow–derived stem cells (BMSCs) are used in clinical research
Umbilical cord–derived stem cells (UCSCs) showed regenerative signaling potential
Neural stem cells (NSCs) have been investigated for targeted neural repair.

Safety, Feasibility, and Ongoing Challenges

The majority of the studies reported safety in a controlled setting
Some challenge includes choosing optimal cell dosage, administration route, and timings
Patient’s response might vary
In the future, there is a need for long-term clinical trial reports

*NOTE: Advancells, Noida India is among the leading research laboratories conducting advanced research in the field of stem cell research for critical disease like diabetes associated stroke.

Can Stem Cell Therapy Improve Stroke Outcomes in Diabetic Patients?

Recovery from Diabetes-Related Barriers

Delay in chronic inflammation promotes tissue repair and neural recovery
Promoting angiogenesis enables a sufficient blood supply in the brain
Reduction in endothelial dysfunction, improved vascular repair
Diabetes control decreases the oxidative stress effect
Prevention in secondary brain surgery

How Stem Cells for Stroke Overcome Impaired Healing

Releases growth factors, promotes angiogenesis
The immunomodulatory effect shows anti-inflammation
Paracrine signaling helps in neural survival
Promotes synaptic remodeling
Enhances vascular repair, improves uptake of oxygen and nutrients

Stroke Patient Success Stories

Personalized Regenerative Strategies

A personalized approach maximizes safety and functional recovery
The choice of stem cells depends on the specific condition of the patient
Combination with standard rehabilitation enables improved outcomes

Prevention Methods

Stroke Risk in Diabetes can be prevented by maintaining:

Glycemic control and maintaining vascular health
Lifestyle modification, medication adherence, and regular screening
Dietary Intervention and regular physical exercise
Early diagnosis and Intervention prevents disease severity

Key Takeaways

Integration of Stem Cells for Stroke and the conventional method aids in better treatment outcomes
Early recognition of diabetes and prevention of stroke saves lives
Treatment is time-sensitive
Stroke Risk in Diabetes can potentially be combated with regenerative medicine in the future

FAQ’s

Q- What Individuals with Diabetes Have a Higher Risk of Stroke?

Diabetes damages blood vessels that promote inflammation and atherosclerosis in blood vessels. This increases the risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

Q- What are the Common Stroke Symptoms and Signs?

Common stroke symptoms and signs include sudden weakness in one body part, difficulty speaking, facial drooping, vision problems, and balance loss.

Q- What is the Most Common Type of Stroke in Individuals with Diabetes?

Ischemic stroke is the most common stroke type, mainly caused by blocked blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. This disorder is often linked with diabetes-associated vascular damage.

Q- Can Stem Cell Therapy Cure Stroke?

Stem cells for stroke are not a definite cure. Stem cell administration aids in the repair and regeneration of neural cells and neural networks.

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