Stem cell transplants

Most cells in the body have a specific function. They may be muscle cells, nerve cells or skin cells. Stem cells are cells that have the ability to develop into different tissues.

• Attraction of using stem cells and coaxing them into developing as insulin producing cells.
• Technology still fairly early but there are a number of significant developments.
• Source of stem cells is a problem. May be from human embryos.
• May be possible to engineer the cells to appear as “self” so that immune suppression and steroids not needed.
• Other possibility that has been used in places is using own cells from bone marrow in hip.
• May be of value in type 2 as well as type 1.
• Problem with type 1 may be that autoimmunity kills the new stem cells.
• Major problem is an adequate source of stem cells. May be from adult or embryonic sources.
• This is not a problem for autologous cells.
• One source gives figures for its own results with autologous cells 1-6 months after treatment. Of 23 type 1 and 2 diabetes treated with own stem cells, none deteriorated. None were cured but over 80% had either improvement or strong improvement with only 3/23 reporting no change.

Dr Tony Woolfson MB BS DM MRCP(UK)
Learn how to master your diabetes.  Visit my website at www.diabetesdietdoctor.com.