[Nontraditional methods of treating diabetes mellitus]

Non-traditional methods of treatment of diabetes and its complications are discussed, including transplantation of the pancreas and the pancreatic islet-cell cultures, application of the artificial endocrine pancreas device and insulin-dosing apparatus, hemosorption, hemodialysis, and kidney transplantation. The pancreas transplantation is the procedure allowing to completely withhold exogenous insulin injections but which should be performed in specialized transplantation centres due to its complexity. Demonstrated is the long-term positive effect of the pancreatic islet-cell culture transplantation on the course and late complications of diabetes. The specific features and prospects of automated insulin administration by electromechanical devices in diabetes management are discussed. Noted is the positive effect of hemosorption on different diabetes manifestations, which is most pronounced in insulin-resistant cases associated with high anti-insulin antibody titres. The described methodologies require further improvement and may be used both as independent procedures and as valuable aids in traditional management of diabetes.