Islet Cell Transplant May Become More Effective

A Sweet Life Staff — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:42:21 +0000

Japanese scientists say they’ve identified the cause of early rejection of transplanted pancreatic islet cells used in treating type 1 diabetes. According to a UPI report, researchers at the Riken Institute and Fukuoka University said their discovery sets the stage for development of treatment technique which could be four times more effective than existing islet transplant methods.

In the study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the researchers found that HMGB1, a nuclear protein whose precise function has previously been unclear, is produced by the islet cells and directly triggers their early rejection. The scientists developed a system to measure the level of HMGB1 in the blood and determine the onset of rejection. These findings may hold the key to much higher success rate in islet transplants.

Scotland to Have Pioneering Islet Transplant Clinic

A Sweet Life Staff — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:09:24 +0000

The BBC reports that a new clinic will open in Edinburgh within a few months. The clinic will perform islet cell transplants on type 1 diabetics who cannot control their diabetes with diet and drugs.

Although most diabetics can control blood sugar levels with insulin, diet and other drugs some have great difficulty in controlling their diabetes as their blood sugar swings up and down. Others are unable to detect hypoglycemia, which can lead to diabetic coma.

The treatment, to be offered in Scotland for the first time, is a transplant of islet cells taken from a donating pancreas. The cells are injected to the vein of the recipient leading to the liver. The islets then remain and work in the liver.

A Sweet Life » Islet Transplant

Islet Cell Transplant May Become More Effective

Scotland to Have Pioneering Islet Transplant Clinic