2006-12-12 08:40:30 · 2 answers · asked by bigred 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Diabetes
It's the area of the pancreas that makes insulin. Much talk about this islet today. For a type 1 diabetic a transplant of this islet is possible. This "cures" a diabetic. Downside is the drugs needed to fight rejection of the islet are VERY toxic to the body.
Therefore the transplant is typically given only to patients who have other more serious complications, renel failure etc. A transplanted islet can last 10+ years. A very promising area of research today.
2006-12-12 08:52:34 · answer #1 · answered by swingfromhips 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Islet of Langerhans are a specialized group of cells that are in the pancreas. These cells excret insulin which helps drive the sugar into the cells. Without insulin the sugar stays in the blood stream and the cells do not get the proper nutrition to function properly.
2006-12-12 17:07:53 · answer #2 · answered by Gary S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋