Stem cell research spurs new developments in diabetes treatments

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Stem cell research spurs new developments in diabetes treatments
Apr 14, 2009
Lori Lyle

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - There is some exciting new research that offers hope to the 23 million people in this country with diabetes. Many experts refer to the recent explosion of Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, as an epidemic, but now there are new efforts to get it under control.

This week's Journal of the American Medical Association is dedicated to diabetes research, and some of the scientists on the cutting edge of finding new treatments recently discussed the latest developments.

Diabetes happens when the body either doesn't make enough, or doesn't properly use, the hormone, insulin. Managing blood sugar is key to keeping diabetes under control. For years, patients have been encouraged to keep levels low. But researchers at Kaiser Permanente found low blood sugar in patients with Type 2 diabetes can lead to Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

"Having a balance of blood sugar is a very key issue. It's not just about not getting too high. It's also about not getting too low," said Dr. Rachel Whitmer, Ph.D., of Kaiser Permanente.

Kaiser looked at thousands of patients for more than two decades and found those hospitalized just once for severe hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, were 26 percent more likely to develop dementia. Three hospital visits nearly doubled the risk. Patient Ronda Keys has learned how to manage her diabetes.

"Besides knowing what your numbers are, just pay attention to yourself. You know yourself better than doctors. And it's confusing because there's so much out there," said Keys.

Researchers are also finding ways to help people with Type 1 diabetes - those who must take extra insulin. Northwestern University found adult stem cell transplants lowered, and in some cases eliminated the need for those shots for up to four years.

"Just to be able to take someone and have them insulin-free with normal blood sugars on no medications for many years in the first attempt, you know, is a step forward," said Dr. Richard Burt of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Similar research transplanting islets, which are hormone-producing cells from the pancreas, also allowed patients to be insulin-free. But it's very expensive.

Diabetes itself can be expensive for patients. An analysis by the Associated Press found the recession's having an impact. Diabetics are skipping doctor's appointments, insulin injections and blood sugar tests because they've lost health insurance.

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