Human Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells in the Treatment of Refractory Diabetic Foot

Refractory diabetic foot is one of the most serious and costly chronic complications of diabetes, and is the leading cause of nontraumatic lower-extremity amputations. Conventional treatment is symptomatic supportive treatment such as controlling blood sugar, fighting infection, improving blood circulation, using topical medications, etc. But the effectiveness is barely satisfactory, while the wound heals slowly, and the large blood vessels that have been blocked cannot be re-opened. Therefore, an effective method is needed to relieve lower limb ischemia, promote ulcer healing and shorten the treatment time. Cell therapy has shown unique advantages and potential in tissue regeneration and wound repair, and is considered as a new effective method to treat diabetic foot. Cell treatment for diabetic foot include local injection, intravenous infusion and arterial infusion. At present, local intramuscular injection is used in most studies at home and abroad. HCB-MNCs is composed of immature immune cells and pluripotent stem cells, which is adequate, superior proliferative and immature , is a favorable source of cells for the treatment of diabetic foot. A few clinical studies have found that local intramuscular injection of HCB-MNCs or combined with gel dressing can effectively treat diabetic foot ulcers and relieve pain and other symptoms of patients. In this study, 24 patients with refractory diabetic foot will be enrolled. HCB-MNCs will be injected into the diabetic foot wound area 3 times at a week interval to explore its effectiveness and safety. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the safety of local application of HCB-MNCs in the treatment of refractory diabetic foot and the change of wound area. The secondary objective is to assess changes in the visual analogue scale, total symptoms score and wagner scale.