Diabetes Mellitus Case Study

Diabetes mellitus also known simply as diabetes refers to a group of metabolic diseases which affect the body’s homeostatic mechanism used for maintaining and regulating the body’s blood sugar levels. Diabetes is a chronic condition which, in 2013 was estimated to be affecting 382 million people worldwide.[1] People suffering from diabetes are required to constantly be vigilant of their blood sugar levels to ensure it does not go below or above optimum levels. Depending on the type of diabetes and glucose level range, they may need to inject themselves with insulin or eat high sugar foods to restabilise their body. Failure to do so can lead to other long term health effects.[2]

However a recent breakthrough from Harvard stem cell researchers is about to change the way Diabetes Mellitus is treated and has the potential to change the lives of diabetes patients for ever. The revolution revolves around the ability to create large quantities of beta cells appropriate for the human pancreas.

Professor Anderson says there are at least two companies trying different strategies of encapsulating the cells similar to a way a tea bag surrounds tea leaves. The US federal government has given the companies approval to begin trials in patients starting later this year. [5] By protecting the beta cells from the immune system would greatly fast track the availability of the treatment to patients with type 1 diabetes and will also eliminate the need for the patients to undergo regular top-ups of the beta cells into their pancreas. Making this treatment a one of treatment with no later follow-ups required, meaning it is essentially a cure.