Paris: A new study has found that an implant of stem cells in the liver of type 1 diabetes patients can extend their lives.
A trial led by French scientists showed encouraging results for patients with type 1 diabetes (who underwent kidney transplants).
About one-third of people with type 1 diabetes will eventually need a new kidney, and many transplant recipients will need a kidney a few years later because of damage to the blood vessels in the body’s organs from high blood sugar. Then kidney failure will occur.
However, data suggest that a new method (islet transplantation) may prolong patient life by preventing complications after kidney transplantation.
In this technique, special cells called islets are taken from the liver of the stem donor. These cells produce insulin.
This organ is located near the liver. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the organ, causing it to fail.
In this procedure, islet cells are transferred through a catheter into the liver of diabetic patients. Transplantation to the liver is due to its less immune response to foreign tissue or cells than other organs.
The new study, presented at the European Society for Organ Transplantation Congress, looked at 330 patients who had undergone kidney transplants.
Researchers from the University of Lille also found in the study that islet transplant patients needed 70 percent less regular insulin to control their blood sugar.
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