Liraglutide combined with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation inhibits beta-cell apoptosis via mediating the ASK1/JNK/BAX pathway in rats with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: Accumulating evidence suggests an association between beta-cell apoptosis and the ASK1/JNK/BAX pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a combined therapy of liraglutide and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) on the glucose metabolism and islet beta-cell apoptosis, and further explore its relationship to the ASK1/JNK/BAX pathway.

Method: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat model was induced by a high-sugar and high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) (30 mg/kg).