Abstract
A bioartificial pancreas, in which islets of Langerhans are encapsulated within a semipermeable membrane, may be an alternative therapeutic device for diabetic patients. It may constitute another safe and simple method of transplanting islets without the need for immunosuppressive therapy. Since the semipermeable membrane protects the islets from the host immune system, the islets are likely to survive and release insulin for a long period of time, thereby controlling glucose metabolism in the absence of immunosuppressive medication. Recent data using macroencapsulation of pig islets in primate seems encouraging. In fact, a "mono/bilayer" configuration of macroencapsulated pig islets implanted subcutaneously has been found to significantly improve diabetes control in primates for 6 months without any immunosuppression.
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