Scientists at the University of Bath have converted liver
cells into pancreas cells in a study that could revolutionize the treatment of
the disease.
Research by British scientists could offer
millions of people with diabetes the chance to treat the condition with just one
injection.
Diabetes occurs when the pancreas contains
defective cells that do not produce sufficient quantities of the hormone
insulin. A shortage of insulin means cells do not absorb enough glucose to
provide fuel and leaves excessive amounts of glucose in the bloodstream.
This can be treated with changes to diet and
increasing exercise, and in more serious cases insulin injections - although
many diabetics suffer long-term complications.
The experiments offer the potential of an
alternative treatment, using just one injection, which could overcome these
complications.
The results are published in a research paper in
Current Biology magazine.
The team at the university's Department of
Biology and Biochemistry used transdifferentiation, involving converting one
type of cell to another.
They succeeded in converting liver cells to
pancreas cells in a research project funded by the Wellcome Trust and the
Medical Research Council.
Professor Jonathan Slack, leading the team, says
if further research is positive, this method could be used as a treatment for
diabetes within 10 years.
He said: "The results from these experiments have
been very encouraging. This is the first step in the development of what could
ultimately provide a cure for people suffering from diabetes, but there is a lot
more work to do."
Source: Diabetes In Control.Com.
January 2003 News Article Index
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