Transplantation of islets of Langerhans in type 1 diabetes. Three cases treated in Sweden to date
Tibell, A.; Groth, C.G.
Lakartidningen 95(20): 2328-2333
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0023-7205 PMID: 9630799 Document Number: 487453
The article consists in a report of the first three cases of human islet transplantation to have been carried out in Sweden. Cadaveric pancreatic glands were harvested and flown to the islet transplantation laboratory at the University of Giessen in Germany. After isolation, the islets were returned to Huddinge Hospital in Stockholm. The recipients were diabetic renal transplant patients, who received 5,000-8,000 islets by intraportal injection. Initially blood glucose levels were stabilised and HbA1c levels normalised, but no patient became insulin independent. After a few months serum C-peptide levels diminished, and after 6-10 months were undetectable. Islet function loss is probably to be explained by rejection and cytomegalvirus infection. In future cases new improved immunosuppressive protocols will be implemented.