Stem Cells from Umbilical Cord Can Successfully Treat Type 1 Diabetes
A new US study offers insights into the way stem cells from umbilical cord blood can be used to successfully treat diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Florida College of Medicine studied twenty children aged between two and seven with type 1 diabetes, seven of whom were injected with cord blood cells. The researchers concluded that the study suggests that the cells “jump-start” and correct the patient’s own immune system.
“This is the first attempt at using cord blood as a potential therapy for type 1 diabetes. We hope these cells can either lessen the immune system’s attack on the pancreas or possibly introduce stem cells that can differentiate into insulin-producing cells,” said the lead researcher, Dr. Michael Haller.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system starts destroying insulin-producing cells in the pancreas needed to control blood sugar. It can result in heart disease, blindness, kidney disease and death.
The children treated with umbilical cord cells needed an average of 35 per cent less insulin over the following six months, compared with those not given stem cell infusions.
The study was presented yesterday at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association in Chicago, where researchers cautioned against an overreaction. They said the treatment was not a cure and that the cause of the immune process in diabetes was still unknown, but Dr. Haller said that his team has reason for “cautious optimism.”
July 25th, 2007 at 9:38 am
I am glad to see and hear more and more published news around adult stem cell therapies research.
I also think it is important that people become aware of the value of optimizing this recently discovered/validated renewal system of the body. It could be that Type I diabetes requires the more extreme measures of extraction and re-injection of stem cells. The more invasive stem cell therapies are of great value, especially for end-stage diseases as a life saving therapy. But I believe it is time that we took a closer look at adult stem cells and their function within the body and how we might optimize this system….as naturally, effectively and as safely as possible. Anyone interested in this aspect of what has been discovered about adult stem cells would do well to check the information out at: http://www.primordialgreeen.com It is fascinating and well worth your time to be educated about all facets of adult stem cell therapy.