Spotlight Article

Islet transplantation provides long-term protection from severe hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes

Peter A Senior

Diabetic Hypoglycemia June 2013, Volume 6, Issue 1: page 14-18

Abstract

The ability to achieve strict glycemic control in type 1 diabetes has been limited by its association with an increased risk of hypoglycemia. This is mainly related to the inability to reliably and consistently match the availability of exogenously delivered insulin with the changing metabolic needs of the body. Restoration of endogenous, glucose-dependent insulin secretion by transplanting islets from deceased organ donors is a strategy that may allow this challenge to be addressed. Although long-term results of islet transplantation were previously disappointing, more recent refinements show that outcomes of islet transplantation have improved and reliably provide excellent glycemic control and long-term protection from hypoglycemia.

Keywords: hypoglycemia, islet transplant