Comparison of the therapeutic potential of BM-MNC vs. allogeneic Wharton jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (allo-WJ-MSCs) in diabetic patients with CLTI.~Twenty-four type 2 diabetic patients in the most severe stages of the CLTI (category 4 or 5 in Rutherford's classification and transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) below 30 mm Hg were enrolled and randomized to receive 15 injections of (i) BM-MNC (7.197x106 ± 2.984 x106 cells/mL each with 2% of autologous serum) (n=7), (ii) allo-WJ-MSCs (1.333 x106 cells/mL each with 5% of human serum albumin serum) (n=7) or (iii) placebo solution (1 mL saline solution with 2% of autologous serum) (n=10), which were administered into the periadventitial arteries.~The follow-up visits were at months 1, 3, 6, and 12, to evaluate the following parameters:~(i) Rutherford classification (0 to 6) (ii) TcPO2 (mmHg) (iii) Wound closure (area cm2) (iv) pain (visual analogue scale (0-10) (v) pain-free walking distance (m) (vi) revascularization and limb-survival proportion during follow-up (vii) the quality of life (EQ-5D questionnaire).
Patients in the severe stages of Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) are prone to amputation and death, leading to poor quality of life and a great socioeconomic burden.~There is an urgent need to develop an effective therapeutic strategy to treat this disease. In this context, autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNC) and allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells derived from different sources have emerged as promising therapeutic approaches for this condition.