History of islet transplantation.
Patients with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus endure stringent life-long medical therapy through the use of insulin to prevent end organ complications and maintain normoglycemia. However, some patients still suffer from hypoglycemic unawareness, even under intensive therapy. Within the past decade, noble efforts have been attempted to provide normoglycemia through cadaveric islet of Langerhans transplantation in order to reach a physiologic response. This effort, which has evolved for more than a century, actually predates the discovery of insulin.
Digon
Benigno J
BJ
The Endocrinology Center, Halifax Health Medical Center, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA. benigno.digon@halifax.org
D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000628:therapy; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000266:history*; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D012042:Registries; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities