Transplantation for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Pancreas and pancreatic islet cell transplantation have been investigated as potential methods of treatment for diabetes mellitus in both man and animals. Successful transplantation could ultimately provide a cure for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Not only would it greatly improve the quality of life of the diabetic patient, but also prevent the multitude of potential complications of poor glycemic control. Whole pancreas transplantation has been successful as a means of treating diabetes mellitus, however, complications make this treatment less than ideal. The focus of diabetes research in many centers worldwide has been on successful transplantation of the purified endocrine portion of the pancreas. Despite the many years of dedicated research, there remain several important obstacles to successful islet cell transplantation in both human and veterinary medicine. Currently progress is being made to make islet cell transplantation a reality.
Levitan
D M
DM
D000818:Animals; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000601:surgery*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000379:methods*; D012106:Research; D014181:Transplantation Immunology