Pancreas and Diabetes Mellitus: The Relationship between the Organ and the Disease.
Diabetes mellitus has been a fascinating disease from the dawn of medical history. The first breakthrough in its treatment came in 1922, with the discovery of insulin which was extracted from the pancreas of a dog. Even earlier, a relationship between pancreas and diabetes mellitus had been suspected by medical scientists. However, the study of diabetes mellitus is much more than its relationship with the pancreas. On the other hand the pancreas has been known to be a very reclusive organ that is hidden away from physicians and surgeons for centuries. In recent times, it has become more accessible and has yielded some of its secrets. The relationship between the pancreas and diabetes mellitus is a story full of complexities and surprises. This article attempts to reveal some of the important events and persons in the story and the controversies surrounding them.
Department of Gastroenterology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala.
Saumya
S
Menon
Department of Gastroenterology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala.
Gopalakrishna
G
Rajesh
Department of Gastroenterology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala.
Vallath
V
Balakrishnan
D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation; D010179:Pancreas / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016035:Pancreas Transplantation; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000503:physiopathology
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents