Diabetes
New cell transplant may cure diabetes in 10 days
By IANS
Jan 19, 2006, 12:49

Scientists in Britain have developed a new cell transplant method which they say can lead to the cure of diabetes within 10 days.

Currently, cell transplant requires high doses of anti-rejection drugs that present a danger to children.

But the method developed by doctors at Oxford's Churchill Hospital involves the removal of the clusters of cells - known as islets - from a donated pancreas in highly sterile conditions, reported the online edition of BBC News.

The cells are then injected directly into the patient's liver in what is a fairly simple procedure.

The doctors hope that within the next five to 10 years trials will lead to the perfecting of a simple operation that can reverse the condition in both children and adults, reported the online edition of BBC News.

The new treatment may end the need for patients to have pancreas transplants or daily insulin jabs.

"The real advantage of islet transplantation in the future is that we hope we will be able to prevent children from having to have regular insulin injections," researcher Paul Johnson said.

"Also in the long term, by reversing diabetes, we hope that we will prevent the long-term conditions of the disease, which develop 20 to 30 years later such as blindness and kidney failure."

The trials are taking place at a new 1.2 million pounds facility funded by the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation (DRWF) based within the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism.

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