Transplant hope for diabetes sufferers
- 00:02:11
- ITN
Transplant hope for diabetes sufferers
Sufferers of Type 1 diabetes could soon live without the fear of blackouts and coma after doctors were given the go-ahead for more cell transplants involving insulin.Type 1 diabetes usually develops in childhood and is not related to lifestyle factors such as obesity. Sufferers cannot produce enough insulin and usually rely on injections.So far, only a handful of the transplants have been carried out in the UK. But now six centres are to receive Government funding to develop the ground-breaking technique.The procedure involves obtaining cells from the pancreas of a dead donor and injecting them into the diabetic's liver where they can start producing insulin.Stephanie Amiel, professor of Diabetic Medicine at King's College Hospital and King's College London, said the research will help develop the transplant technique and "may, in time, lead to a cure"."There are around 250,000 people with Type 1 diabetes in the UK. They live with the constant need to be aware of their blood glucose levels and the threat of long-term complications such as blindness, renal failure, amputation and cardiovascular disease."He added: "People with Type 1 diabetes often live extremely regimented lives, requiring self blood testing four or more times per day, injecting insulin five times per day and constantly being aware of the food they eat, level of exercise and levels of alcohol consumption."Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: "The Department of Health's decision to fund this programme will be life changing for some people with Type 1 diabetes who suffer from the most serious effects of hypoglycaemia."Resolving the worst cases could save the NHS a significant amount of money, as hypoglycaemic attacks cost £15m a year in hospitalisations and ambulances alone."© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.
ITN | February 11, 2008
