Transplanted Pancreas Cells Provide Only Short Term Relief To Diabetics

Filed in archive Treatment on September 29, 2006

For a while, transplanted pancreas cells were the hot topic of diabetes conversation. Many scientists and diabetes sufferers thought the procedure may 'reverse' Type 1 diabetes, or at least get rid of dangerous symptoms.

However, as time has progressed, it seems the results of the procedure are short-lived.

Chief study author James Shapiro of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, said the transplanted cells seemed to stop working because not enough survived the initial transplant.

"We've only got a small number of cells that end up engrafting and they're all having to work at maximum capacity," Shapiro said.

"When an engine runs at 3 000 revs every minute of the day and doesn't get a break, eventually some of them start to burn out."

What do you think? Is it worth the time and money to undergo this procedure to enjoy improved health, even if only for a short while?

(Photo Source: UI)