Insulin independence and normalization of oral glucose tolerance test after islet cell allotransplantation

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Intra-Omental Islet Transplantation Using h-Omental Matrix Islet filliNG (hOMING)
07:36

Intra-Omental Islet Transplantation Using h-Omental Matrix Islet filliNG (hOMING)

Published on: March 14, 2019

N Cretin1, A Caulfield, B Fournier

  • 1Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Hospital, 24 Rue Micheli-du-Crest, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. ncretin@tbrc.mgh.harvard.edu

Transplant International : Official Journal of the European Society for Organ Transplantation
|November 3, 2001
PubMed

To achieve permanent normoglycemia in patients with type I diabetes, it is necessary to renew the insulin-producing beta-cells by transplantation of either a vascularized pancreatic graft or isolated islets of Langerhans. Presently, about 10% of patients with type I diabetes undergoing islet allotransplantation achieve insulin independence; however, glucose intolerance remains in the majority of cases. We report a case of long-term insulin independence after islet allotransplantation in a type I diabetic patient. Three years after islet transplantation, the patient remains insulin-independent with a normal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The patient therefore no longer meets the World Health Organization criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and demonstrates that islet transplantation can cure diabetes in type I diabetic patients.

More Related Videos

Fat-Covered Islet Transplantation Using Epididymal White Adipose Tissue06:39

Fat-Covered Islet Transplantation Using Epididymal White Adipose Tissue

Published on: May 25, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

The pancreatic islets comprising only 1%-2% of the volume are highly vascularized and innervated mini-organs. They contain five endocrine cell types, including β cells that secrete insulin, which is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain, preproinsulin, processed to proinsulin, and finally to insulin and C-peptide. This process is complex and regulated, involving the Golgi complex, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the secretory granules of the β cell.
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction01:12

Type I Diabetes I: Introduction

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin resulting from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Although it can occur at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. The loss of insulin production impairs cellular glucose uptake, resulting in persistent hyperglycemia and necessitating lifelong insulin therapy.Autoimmune Destruction of β-CellsThe hallmark of type 1 diabetes is an...
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects01:16

Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects

Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology01:26

Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

Type 1 diabetes mellitus arises from an immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in an absolute deficiency of insulin. This process develops in genetically susceptible individuals when autoimmunity, environmental exposures, and immunologic dysregulation converge to trigger a targeted attack on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The β-cells are located within the islets of Langerhans and are essential for regulating blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of...