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Old 08-19-2008, 04:21 AM
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Post News, Doctors make arm do job of pancreas.

Experimental treatment offers source of insulin, hope for diabetics.

Doctors at The Methodist Hospital are experimenting with a new treatment for the diseased or injured pancreas in which they remove the organ and implant its insulin-producing cells in the patient's arm or leg.

The research, conducted on the first patient a month ago, is part of an ongoing inquiry into how best to prevent diabetes in a person whose pancreas has been removed because of pancreatitis, trauma, or benign or early-stage malignant tumors.

Houston doctors fight diabetes with a shot of pancreas in the arm | Front page | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
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Old 08-19-2008, 07:10 PM
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Hmmmm...interesting.

Sounds like it might be a good option for T1, if it works as well as planned. Wondering though, how that would "make type 2 diabetics use theirs (insulin) more efficiently."
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Old 08-19-2008, 08:10 PM
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Quote:
... part of an ongoing inquiry into how best to prevent diabetes in a person whose pancreas has been removed because of pancreatitis, trauma, or benign or early-stage malignant tumors. ...
T1s don't fall into that category, so they wouldn't benefit from this. The immune system destroys the beta cells, no matter where they are.
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Old 08-19-2008, 11:07 PM
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Next they will put a bolt in our necks and call us "Frank".
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Old 08-20-2008, 08:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by genie86333 View Post
Hmmmm...interesting.

Sounds like it might be a good option for T1, if it works as well as planned. Wondering though, how that would "make type 2 diabetics use theirs (insulin) more efficiently."
It sounded like the idea was to remove some of the islets from a T2's pancreas and using stem cells "clone" them for re-implantation into the arm or leg.....

Imagine a T2 with Islets in both legs and arms... the equivilent of 4 or 5 pancreas's all producing insulin... enough perhaps to overcome that person's resistance, and allow them to lead a "normal" life
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Old 08-20-2008, 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by poppa View Post
It sounded like the idea was to remove some of the islets from a T2's pancreas and using stem cells "clone" them for re-implantation into the arm or leg.....

Imagine a T2 with Islets in both legs and arms... the equivilent of 4 or 5 pancreas's all producing insulin... enough perhaps to overcome that person's resistance, and allow them to lead a "normal" life
Still doesn't answer my question though...if I understand correctly, insulin *resistance* isn't necessarily that the body isn't making enough insulin, but that it's not using it correctly, right? I understand it will help make more insulin if the body isn't making enough, but how would making more insulin help the body use it more efficiently?
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Old 08-20-2008, 09:23 PM
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Next they will put a bolt in our necks and call us "Frank".
LOL Nancy, You have a wonderful seance of humour.
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Old 08-21-2008, 07:12 PM
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Talking

Quote:
Originally Posted by genie86333 View Post
Still doesn't answer my question though...if I understand correctly, insulin *resistance* isn't necessarily that the body isn't making enough insulin, but that it's not using it correctly, right? I understand it will help make more insulin if the body isn't making enough, but how would making more insulin help the body use it more efficiently?
I'm a T2. My body is very insulin resistant. As a result it takes MORE insulin than my single pancreas can produce to achieve the same result...

To get that extra insulin I have to inject it with every meal, every snack, and at bedtime every night...

IF, I had an additional pancreas or two in my arms or legs to provide that extra insulin, I think that would be wonderful

Still, modern medicine is a lot of research, and a long way from seeing that as a reality. It is however, a goal worth reaching for!
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Yep, that's really me
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Type 2 since 1996
Current Meds:
*Lantus - 25 units at bedtime
*Humalog Bolus I:C 1:13
*Humalog Corrections I:BGl 1:40
Metformin - 1000mg at breakfast and supper

Testing 6 to 10 times a day depending on how I'm feeling.

*Using Vials and Syringes. My ins will not pay for pens or pumps.
They figure, if it was good enough for Grandpa, By God it's good enough for you!
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Old 08-22-2008, 05:51 AM
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Thanks, between this answer & on another thread, I now understand. Thanks for the explaination!
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