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Islet Cell Transplantation Significantly Improves Glycemic Control in Diabetes

Posted on: Wednesday, 31 May 2006, 15:01 CDT

Patients with type 1 diabetes who receive transplants of insulin-producing islet cells have significantly more stable blood glucose levels and fewer hypoglycemic episodes. This improvement is evident whether or not patients require exogenous insulin supplementation after the transplant, according to a report in the current issue (Volume 8, Number 2) of Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. The paper is available free online at www.liebertpub.com/dia.

In a study using continuous glucose monitoring to assess glycemic control more accurately than could be done with periodic blood sampling, Breay Paty, MD, Peter Senior, MD, PhD, Jonathan Lakey, PhD, James Shapiro, MD, PhD, and Edmond Ryan, MD, from the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Canada), demonstrate that compared to non-transplant patients, islet transplant patients had more stable blood glucose levels, significantly lower mean high glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) values, and significantly higher mean low glucose levels, with fewer episodes of hypoglycemia.

"The ability of continuous glucose monitoring to demonstrate stable blood glucose control and minimal hypoglycemia after islet cell transplantation with or without the use of exogenous insulin brings us one step closer to finding a cure for diabetes," says Satish Garg, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics and Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics and Director, Adult Program, Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center.

The authors emphasize that although insulin independence is an important goal of islet transplantation, this study shows that it is not essential for achieving glycemic stability and improved HbA1C values after transplantation. Glycemic control was similar for post-transplant patients who did or did not require exogenous insulin supplementation. The authors conclude that excellent glycemic control can be achieved after islet transplantation without an increased risk of hypoglycemia either in the presence or absence of insulin use.

Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics is a MEDLINE, peer-reviewed journal published bimonthly that covers new technology and new products for the treatment, monitoring, diagnosis, and prevention of diabetes and its complications. Technologies of interest include noninvasive glucose monitoring, implantable continuous glucose sensors, novel routes of insulin administration, genetic engineering, the artificial pancreas, measures of long-term control, computer applications for case management, telemedicine, the Internet, and new medications. Tables of contents and a free sample issue may be viewed online at www.liebertpub.com.

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Metabolic Syndrome & Related Disorders, Obesity Management, Human Gene Therapy, and Disease Management. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering News (GEN), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 60 journals, newsmagazines, and books is available at www.liebertpub.com.

Source: Business Wire

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