The Influences of Islet Transplantation on Metabolic Abnormalities and Diabetic Complications

Summary

To assess the long-term effect of islet transplantation on metabolic abnormalities and chronic complications of diabetic recipients, the long-term follow-up data of 36 type 1 diabetic subjects with functioning islet grafts for more than 1 year were analysed in this article. 36 type 1 diabetics, with mean age of 34.30 ± 12.05 yr and mean duration of 11.53 ± 5.29 yr, were followed up for a mean period of 29.39 ± 9.50 mo after successfully transplanting with short-term cultured islet tissue of human fetal pancreases. The effect of islet transplants was identified as excellent in 13 subjects, good in 12 and fair in 11. The comparative studies were carried out of the mean levels of serum C-peptide, plasma glucose, GHb and GPP, serum lipids, and mean excretion of urine sugar, and the diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy as well as the autonomic neuropathy before transplantation in comparison with those of the present. The results of the study demonstrated that islet transplants could improve the function of islet B cells and the glucose metabolism, and might delay the development of diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and autonomic neuropathy in successfully transplanted diabetic recipients, but not exert any influences on those of patients in fair group.

Key-Words

Islet Transplantation - Retinopathy - Nephropathy - Autonomic Neuropathy