|
|
1074 Dentistry/Pharmacy Centre
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6G 2N8
Tel: (780) 492-6646
Fax: (780) 492-1627
Research interest
Diabetes mellitus is a clinical syndrome of abnormal
carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism characterized by
hyperglycemia and glucosuria due to the inadequate secretion
and/or utilization of insulin. Insulin-dependent diabetes
mellitus (IDDM) is an autoimmune disease caused by the
progressive destruction of the insulin-secreting
b-cells
in the
islets of Langerhans. The loss of >90% of the
b-cell
mass, triggered by unknown environmental factors and mediated by
cytotoxic T-cells, condemns genetically susceptible individuals
to a lifelong dependence on insulin therapy.
There are an estimated 177 million diabetics worldwide. Of the
eight million patients in North America, one million have Type 1
diabetes and another
eight million are believed to be undiagnosed. About 30,000 new
Type 1 cases are diagnosed each year in North America and the
incidence is rising annually. According to the Diabetic
Resources Network, there are an estimated 1.5 million diabetics
in Canada and this number is expected to double by 2010. It is
the leading cause of death by disease and is also the number one
cause of adult blindness. The economic costs and its burden
on Canadian society are staggering, consuming in excess of 10%
of healthcare expenditures, or about $9 billion in 2000.
Accelerated
developments and improved understanding of the issues that face
Clinical Islet Transplantation during the last 20 years
have led this simple concept to a successful treatment for
diabetes. Islet transplantation involves the extraction of
islets of Langerhans from organ donors through complex digestion
and purification processes. After implantation in patients with
type-1 diabetes, the treatment can provide near perfect,
moment-to-moment control of blood glucose, far more effectively
than injected insulin. The procedure offers the benefits of
whole pancreas transplantation, but with less risk.
| |
