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April 25, 2005
Breaking News - Brain Stem Cells May Treat Diabetes
Following ground-breaking research, US scientists believe they have found a way to use brain stem cells to "cure" diabetes. Although the work is not yet ready to be tested on human patients, results in animals have been promising, say the Stanford University researchers.
Many have conjectured stem cells harvested from human embryos could be used to treat diabetes, despite the known ethical issues and medical limitations (e.g., the development of tumors). Dr Seung Kim and colleagues looked at whether adult stem cells taken from the brain might work effectively and at the same time avoid the known obstacles associated with embryonic stem cells.
Dr Kim's team added a cocktail of chemicals to brain stem cells and caused them to change and produce insulin in response to blood sugar levels.
To find out whether these cells would "work", they transplanted them into a cavity in the kidney in mice where other types of insulin-producing cells have been found to survive before.
When the blood sugar went up in these mice, the transplanted "mature" brain stem cells again released insulin.
Four weeks later, the cells were still alive and producing insulin and none had turned cancerous.
One of the potential benefits of this treatment approach is each individual would be their own donor.
Others Blogging:
Stem cells from brains - So next time you read about all those wonderful cures from embryonic stem cells, remember...they not only don't mention all the actual cures from adult stem cells but this little problem with cancer.
Update:
Using one's own cells to fight disease is in the headlines today. A potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease is showing promising results. The experimental procedure involves the delivery of protective substances to the brain in an attempt to rescue dying cells.
ABC News, HT: RightSided
Posted by Diabetologica at April 25, 2005 7:07 PM