Islet Cell Transplants Help Type 1 Diabetics

Filed in archive Treatment on July 30, 2006

It seems as though there is always a new diabetes treatment or experiment in the works. One of these is an islet cell transplant, developed to improve the health of Type 1 diabetics.

In the transplant, cells are taken from the 'healthy' pancreas of an organ donor, and transplanted into the diabetic patient's liver, where they then begin to produce insulin. This often leads to a more regulated blood sugar level, which allows for improvements in symptoms and lifestyles of diabetics. Often, patients who have been dependent on insulin for years no longer have to take it. Repeat transplants are necessary to maintain health.

Although very few of these transplants have been conducted, doctors are confident that the procedure will soon be mainstream. You can read more about this fascinating option here.

Would you be willing to try an islet cell transplant?