Stem-cells have been used to stop dependence on insulin by a group of Type 1 diabetics in a recent study.

Diabetics using stem-cell therapy have been able to stop taking insulin injections for the first time, after their bodies started to produce the hormone naturally again.

In a breakthrough trial, 15 young patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes were given drugs to suppress their immune systems followed by transfusions of stem cells drawn from their own blood.

The results show that insulin-dependent diabetics can be freed from reliance on needles by an injection of their own stem cells. The therapy could signal a revolution in the treatment of the condition, which affects more than 300,000 Britons.

People with type 1 diabetes have to give themselves regular injections to control blood-sugar levels, as their ability to create the hormone naturally is destroyed by an immune disorder.

And please note – this is not embryonic stem-cell therapy. Rather it is a therapy using the [patient’s own stem-cells to stimulate production of insulin. We are still waiting for embryonic stem-cells to produce ANY therapies for ANY condition, while adult stem-cells are proving quite efficacious.

But as a Type 2 diabetic, IÂ’m waiting to see if this will translate over to my condition, freeing me from the need to take my medication.

Posted by: Greg at 02:32 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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