Cord Blood Plus Vitamin D and Omega 3s in T1D

Overview

In this pilot study the investigators are trying to see if a single intravenous infusion of autologous (self) cord blood cells followed by 1 year of daily vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acid supplementation can preserve beta cell function (prolong "honeymoon") in children with type 1 diabetes. All subjects will continue to use insulin therapy as needed to maintain the best possible glucose control. 15 Subjects will be randomized such that 2 of every 3 (10 total) will receive cord blood plus vitamin D and Omega 3 while 1 of 3 (5 total) will serve as controls and will not receive cord blood, vitamin D, or Omega 3 supplementation. The study will involve 5 visits over 1 year to the University of Florida This study is a follow-up to our initial study of cord blood infusion alone in which 23 children received autologous cord blood. The initial study was 100% safe but additional studies like the one described above are needed to determine how to improve cord blood based therapy.

Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the combination of intensive insulin therapy, autologous umbilical cord blood (UCB), Vitamin D, and Omega 3 fatty acids administered to children with T1D will preserve residual c-peptide when compared to children receiving intensive insulin therapy alone Specific Aims: 1. Randomize 15 children with recent onset T1D and available autologous cord blood such that 10 receive a combination of intensive insulin therapy, autologous UCB infusion, and daily Vitamin D while 5 receive intensive insulin therapy alone 2. Document safety of combination therapy 3. Study potential changes in glucose metabolism 4. Study potential changes in immune function Preliminary Studies: Our group has already performed autologous cord blood infusion in 23 children with T1D and has documented the safety of this approach. While conclusive data regarding the efficacy of the infusion in preserving beta cell function are lacking, our pilot study has demonstrated a potential for cord blood to low the rate of c-peptide decline (a measure of beta cell function/mass) in these young children with T1D. As documented above, considerable work both here and other institutions suggests the potential for a combination of Vitamin D and DHA to further augment the autoimmune response. Given the safety and potential efficacy of such an approach, we feel that a pilot study of the combination of UCB infusion, vitamin D supplementation, and DHA supplementation is warranted. Screening: Only subjects who are still making at least a small amount of detectable insulin will be eligible for this study. To determine if a child is still making insulin, they will undergo a mixed meal tolerance test. This involves placing an IV in the morning prior to eating. The subject then drinks a "mixed meal" (the nutritional supplement Boost is used)and blood is taken via the IV at timepoints over the next 2 hours to determine if insulin is still being produced. Randomization: If a potential subject "passes" the screening test, they will then be randomized to either receiving the study intervention or to being a control. Subjects WILL be told what arm of the study they are randomized to. Infusion: Those randomized to infusion will return to the University of Florida for a single autologous cord blood infusion and will be given vitamin D and Omega 3 supplements Follow-up: Both Control and Intervention subjects will return at 3, 6, and 12 months after the infusion/screening visit to have blood drawn for a repeat mixed meal tolerance test, measurement of HbA1c, and other immune studies.