In ongoing research to fight diabetes, scientists have now developed a breakthrough method that can help in treating this medical condition.
Researchers at the University of Miami’s Diabetic Research Institute did a new type of islet cell transplant to treat severe diabetes in a 43-year-old woman who was dependent on insulin.
Researchers transplanted insulin-producing islet cells into the omentum of a woman so as to defy the need for artificial insulin supplements. Now, a year later, the cells are still in full working order, and she doesn’t have to receive insulin shots to manage her disease.
Camillo Ricordi, a coauthor, physician, and professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said in a news release, “The objective of testing this novel tissue-engineered platform is to initially determine that insulin-producing cells can function in this new site, and subsequently introduce additional technologies towards our ultimate goal to replace the pancreatic endocrine function lost in Type 1 Diabetes without the need for anti-rejection drugs.”
This is no doubt a big success, as it can prove to be a great step in helping millions of people living with this disease.
The study’s lead author, Dr. David Baidal said, “We’re exploring a way to optimize islet cell therapy to a larger population. This study gives us hope for a different transplant approach.”
