[Transplantation of islets of langerhans--alternative or solution in type 1 diabetes treatment?]

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is severe disease caused by partial or total lack of insulin leading to microangiopathy. Methods of treatment used today do not protect patients from the complications of disease. The proposed alternative of the treatment is transplantation of the pancreas islets. Till June 2003, 705 transplantation were performed worldwide. Allotransplant trials were described so far, while xenotransplants may appear as an alternative using alien species donors. Immune incompatibility of a human and animals is a major problem in the method, which can be solved by the use of genetically modified animals. In vitro genetic modifications of the pancreatic islets were already undertaken. New perspective arose with the development of the "stem cells" technology--differentiation of the primary cells into the Langerhans islets cells. Contemporary data show positive value of the method and give new perspective in the treatment of diabetes mellitus with respect to its rising morbidity.