Pig cell transplantion could reverse diabetes
February 21, 2006 by admin
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Is it possible to reverse diabetes? Researchers at the University of Minnesota have transplanted insulin producing cells in monkeys from pigs’ pancreas and were able to reverse diabetes. It would be a huge step in the treatment of diabetes if this can be successfully done in humans. There would be no shortage of supply of pig cells unlike the human cells. The researchers are hoping to start human trials by 2009. The results of the research appear in the journal Nature Medicine.
via HealthCentral
For type 2 diabetic individuals, however, most would benefit more from watching their diet and lifestyle. The risks of immunosuppression will outweigh the benefit of pig islet cell transplants for all but a handful of diabetic patients who have extreme difficulties in controlling their insulin levels via other means.