Islet cell transplantation is expected to cure diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease, previously known as a "disease of affluence". Today, its incidence is gradually increasing worldwide. Currently, there are many treatments that can only alleviate the symptoms of diabetes and delay the occurrence of its complications, but cannot cure diabetes. In recent years, a new treatment method - pancreatic stem cell transplantation - islet stem cell transplantation is expected to cure diabetes.

Islet stem cell transplantation: It is a treatment method that takes 350ml-500ml of bone marrow from diabetic patients (depending on the patient's weight), separates and purifies the mesenchymal stem cells, and then implants the purified stem cells into the tail of the pancreas through femoral artery puncture. The implanted stem cells differentiate into pancreatic beta cells and secrete insulin.

The vast majority of patients with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes without insulin antibodies and low levels of C-peptide, diabetic nephropathy, diabetes after organ transplantation, and diabetes caused by pancreatic disease or pancreatectomy are suitable for adult islet cell transplantation. In terms of the patient's natural condition, the age should preferably be between 15 and 65 years old, other organ function tests should be normal, weight should not exceed 70 kg, fasting or postprandial C-peptide should be 0.5 ng/ml, and glycosylated hemoglobin should be 8.0%. The requirement for weight is because the number of transplanted adult islet cells needs to be proportional to body weight. Currently, it is difficult to meet the cell quantity needs of high-weight patients.

In addition, there are three factors to consider when diabetic patients undergo adult islet cell transplantation: first, the cost of adult islet cell transplantation in my country is at least 200,000 yuan; second, domestic and foreign studies have shown that under current technology, a patient needs at least two transplants to achieve better results; third, although the rejection reaction of adult islet cell transplantation is much lower than that of other organ transplants, immune preparations are still required, which not only have side effects but also require long-term economic investment. This new technology can be considered for diabetic patients who are suitable for adult islet cell transplantation and have poor insulin control, various complications, and a history of more than 5 years. If you can effectively control your blood sugar and are in good physical condition, this surgery is generally not recommended.