One of the most serious complications of diabetes mellitus is the condition known as diabetic foot ulcers, as millions of people with diabetes face the risk of limb loss. This occurs because diabetes damages the peripheral nerves, leading to loss of sensation, which in turn prevents the patient from noticing the occurrence of a wound on the foot. Moreover, diabetes also weakens the immune system; consequently, infection-causing microorganisms—present in the environment and on human skin—take advantage of this weakened immunity and attack the wound. In addition, due to poor blood supply to the extremities in diabetic patients, the body is often unable to mount an effective response against such infections. Thus, loss of sensation, inadequate blood supply, and weakened immunity converge in the diabetic foot, resulting in the development of an ulcer that continues to enlarge and progressively destroy more tissue of the affected foot, eventually necessitating amputation by physicians to prevent sepsis and possible death.
As science races against time to find solutions to this challenging problem—which leaves individuals deprived of one limb, and in some cases both—several studies have emerged seeking solutions that go beyond conventional medical approaches limited to wound cleaning and routine dressings.
In this research spotlight, we present a scientific literature review recently published in one of the leading peer-reviewed scientific journals specializing in endocrinology and clinical medical practice. The authors of the review compiled and analyzed published studies in the field of “regenerative medicine” as a radical solution to this problem, and examined the latest available therapeutic possibilities. It is well established that stem cell technologies and growth factors may offer effective solutions for diabetic ulcers. Stem cells—extracted from bone marrow and adipose tissue—are known for their high regenerative capacity and their ability to repair damage caused by diabetes. These stem cells act as a biological factory that helps the body form new blood vessels and reduce inflammation, thereby restoring blood flow and vitality to damaged tissues and significantly increasing healing rates.
The authors also explained that growth factors are used alongside stem cells. Growth factors are natural proteins that direct the body’s cells to rebuild skin tissue and repair damaged blood vessels. Research has demonstrated that the use of these proteins in combination with conventional therapy doubles the chances of saving the diabetic foot from amputation, particularly when early intervention is applied. Currently, scientists are striving to develop more precise technologies, such as nanotechnology and exosomes (microscopic signaling messages exchanged between cells), to ensure that treatment is delivered directly to the wound site with maximum efficiency.
The review was recently published in “Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice”, an international peer-reviewed scientific journal classified within the first quartile (Q1) in the fields of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism. The journal ranks among the top 11% of specialized journals in this field according to the Scopus classification. In addition, it is indexed in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) database of Clarivate and has an impact factor of 6.10.
The scientific review was authored by a team of students from the Faculty of Medicine, Beni Suef University, listed in the order of appearance in the publication as follows:
1. Arwa Ali Othman Metwally (Fourth Year)
2. Shaimaa Ismail Ali (Second-Year Internship)
3. Youssef Mohamed Nagi Mohamed Khaled (Second Year)
4. Amani Abdullah Mohamed (Fifth Year- Old Curriculum)
5. Shahd Mohamed Hassanein (Fourth Year)
6. Karim Ramadan Saad Qorani (Fifth Year – New Curriculum)
7. Ahmed Nady Saad Amin (Fifth Year- Old Curriculum)
8. Lydia Milad Abdelmasih Labib (Fifth Year – New Curriculum)
9. Mariam Mahmoud Abdullah Mohamed (Fifth Year – New Curriculum)
10. Menatullah Abdullah Mohamed (Fifth Year – New Curriculum)
11. Abdullah Tantawy Mohamed (Fifth Year- Old Curriculum)
12. Yasser Mohamed Nagi Mohamed Khaled (Fifth Year- Old Curriculum) (Originator of the research idea and supervisor of the research team).