Infusion of insulin producing cells removes insulin dependence in most patients with uncontrollable diabetes, according to a new study.

Infusion of insulin producing cells removes insulin dependence in most patients with uncontrollable diabetes, according to a new study.
The islet cells of the pancreas produce insulin, but fail to do so in type 1 diabetes. Insulin injections have, till now, been standard treatment, but there has been research into transplanting healthy islet cells. Researchers at the Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Canada, now present some very interesting results from this approach.

They infused healthy islet cells into the hepatic portal vein, which serves the liver - guiding the procedure with ultrasound. Once they reached the liver the cells became functional. All receiving 9000 cells per kilogram of their body weight became independent of insulin and the benefits persisted for one year in 81 per cent of the group.

These were patients who had been in a serious condition, with wild fluctuations in their blood sugar. They would lose consciousness on and off, were in severe danger of diabetic coma and truly feared for their lives. All this has changed, thanks to islet cell transplantation. Although this new procedure is still at the clinical trial stage, it clearly looks very promising.

Source

Society of Interventional Radiology Meeting 28th March 2003

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