News, Doctors make arm do job of pancreas.

[Rob43]

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

[genie86333]

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."

[BlueSky]

... 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.

[notme]

Next they will put a bolt in our necks and call us "Frank".

[poppa]

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

[genie86333]

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?

[ant hill]

Next they will put a bolt in our necks and call us "Frank".

LOL Nancy, You have a wonderful seance of humour.

[poppa]

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!

[genie86333]

Thanks, between this answer & on another thread, I now understand. Thanks for the explaination!