UK man cured of Type 1 diabetes after receiving beta cells from dead donors

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 09 Mar 2005 - 9:00 PDT

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Richard Lane, 61, becomes the first diabetes 1 patient in the UK to be cured after receiving beta cells (insulin making cells) from dead patients. The 'transplant' was carried out at King's College Hospital, London. Beta cells are found in the pancreas, people with type 1 diabetes do not have beta cells.

Hopefully, Richard Lane will no longer have to take insulin injections. Some patients (two in UK) who have had this procedure do still need to take some insulin. He had two islet transplants last year and one this year. He says he feels better than at any time for the last 30 years (Guardian Newspaper, UK).

This pioneering technique started in Canada 18 months ago.

Team leader, Prof. S Armiel, said this could mean the beginning of the end of diabetes for people with type 1. She added that more needs to be done to get donors, as there is a shortage of them.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES?

TYPE 1 DIABETES

Here there is an absolute lack of insulin because the patient has no beta cells. The patient's immune system has destroyed them. This type of diabetes is never a result of lifestyle.

TYPE 2 DIABETES

The patient does have beta cells but his/her body is not producing enough insulin. The insulin is not working very well (insulin resistance). This type is often treatable with diet, exercise and medication. Some patients require insulin injections. Type 2 is often the result of lifestyle.

Written by Christian Nordqvist, Editor, Medical News Today

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