Stem cells: A future treatment for Type 1 diabetes

Posted by Leanne Kodsman on

Researchers in Austria were able to both identify and isolate adult pancreatic stem cells, and then trigger their transformation into functioning,insulin-producing cells that behaved in response to glucose, Medical News Today reports. After initial success in a test tube, the team also generated promising results in mice.


Researchers in Austria were able to both identify and isolate adult pancreatic stem cells, and then trigger their transformation into functioning,insulin-producing cells that behaved in response to glucose, Medical News Today reports. After initial success in a test tube, the team also generated promising results in mice.

The work by scientists at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research is highlighted in detail online in PLoS ONE. It isn't new on the surface: Co-author Len Harrison is quoted as noting that others have used cells with "stem-like" features to produce insulin-producing cells in the adult pancreas. What is new, however, is that scientists finally determined a few new things about how to make the process more feasible and functional. They now know, for example, the insulin producing cells' cell of origin. Also, they determined that an injured pancreas boosted the ability of these particular cells to transform into insulin-producing cells.

The finding demonstrates yet another example of the ever-viableadult stem cells' ability, at least in preclinical trials, to help treat illness. And in the case ofType 1 diabetes, such an advance can't come soon enough. As the article explains, Type 1 diabetes is managed with several daily insulin injections or an insulin infusion pump. The key word here is "managed"; patients still suffer long-term health problems, and it would be far better to restore their ability to produce insulin naturally.

But success in a test tube and in mice is a long way from a breakthrough in humans, and many more years of clinical trials and tests will be necessary to reach that point. And results in human testing could produce starkly different outcomes. The finding does generate some real hope, the article reminds us, because it shows we all have at least theoretical potential to regenerate insulin- producing cells. And while stem cell treatments have had mixed results at best, the finding offers promise for a viable alternative to insulin shots for Type 1 diabetes patients.



Innovative Research supports the research and development toward finding a cure for diabetes. Several universities and labs have purchased our Diabetic human plasma and serum and found incredible results with it. Refer to the publication below and or contact us for more information regarding our diabetic plasma and serums

Absolute quantification of C-reactive protein in human plasma derived from patients with epithelial ovarian cancer utilizing protein cleavage isotope dilution mass

DK Williams Jr, DC Muddiman - Journal of proteome research, 2009 - ACS Publications...(Novi, MI), 1 pooled sample from the Red Cross, and 108 samples procured from the...MS Solvents for liquid chromatography were purchased from Burdick and Jackson (Muskegon, MI)...samples, a pooled sample from the Red Cross, and the Innovative Research control were...

    Innovative Research was established in 1998 after the realization that dependable, high-quality, and affordable research materials were hard to come by. Starting with core products like human plasma and serum, Innovative Research has grown to be a trusted supplier of all lab reagents, including human biologicals and ELISA kits. Today, we manufacture and supply thousands of high-quality human and animal biologicals including plasma, serum, tissues, and proteins.


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