Human Fetal Tissue Research: Practice, Prospects, and Policy

1994 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Fine
Keyword(s):  
Basic Research ◽  
Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Fetal Tissue ◽  
Tissue Transplantation ◽  
Dependent Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Human Fetal Tissue ◽  
Fetal Tissue Transplantation ◽  
Substantial Progress ◽  
Insulin Dependent ◽  
Human Fetal Tissue Transplantation

Tissue from human fetal cadavers has long been used for medical research, experimental therapies, and various other purposes. Research within the last two decades has led to substantial progress in many of these areas, particularly in the application of fetal tissue transplantation to the treatment of human disease. As a result, clinical trials have now been initiated at centers around the world to evaluate the use of human fetal tissue transplantation for the therapy of Parkinson's disease, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and a number of blood, immunological and, metabolic disorders. Laboratory studies suggest a much wider range of disorders may in the future be treatable by transplantation of various types of human fetal tissue. A combination of characteristics renders fetal tissue uniquely valuable for such transplantation, as well as for basic research, the development of vaccines, and a range of other applications. Although substitutes for human fetal tissue are being actively sought, for many of these applications there are at present no satisfactory alternatives. Important issues remain unresolved concerning the procurement, distribution, and use of human fetal cadaver tissue as well as the effects of such use on abortion procedures and incidence. These issues can be addressed by the introduction of appropriate guidelines or legislation, and need not be an impediment to legitimate research and therapeutic use of fetal tissue.

Elevated Circulating P-Selectin in Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (03) ◽  
pp. 328-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Jilma ◽  
Peter Fasching ◽  
Christine Ruthner ◽  
Anna Rumplmayr ◽  
Sabine Ruzicka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Interquartile Range ◽  
Insulin Dependent Diabetes ◽  
Dependent Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Intergroup Comparison ◽  
Median Plasma ◽  
Insulin Dependent

SummaryBased on findings that showed increased P-selectin expression on platelets and on choroidal microvessels of patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), we hypothesized that also plasma concentrations of circulating (c)P-selectin would be increased in these patients.The aim of this study was to compare the plasma levels of cP-selec-tin between non-smoking patients with IDDM, treated with an intensified insulin therapy, and healthy controls. The study design was prospective, cross-sectional and analyst-blinded. Subjects were matched individually for sex, age and body mass index. Plasma levels of cP-selectin and of von Willebrand antigen (vWF-Ag) were determined by enzyme linked immunoassays.Forty-two pairs were available for intergroup comparison. Median plasma concentrations of cP-selectin in patients with IDDM (285 ng/ml; interquartile range: 233-372) were on average 21% higher than those of controls (236 ng/ml; interquartile range: 175-296; p = 0.004). Also, median plasma levels of vWF-Ag were 10% higher in patients (96 U/dl; interquartile range: 82-127) than controls (87 U/dl; interquartile range: 70-104; p = 0.025). There was no correlation between plasma concentrations of cP-selectin and vWF-Ag levels in either group (p ώ0.05).In conclusion, our results of increased cP-selectin levels are in line with increased P-selectin expression on platelets and on choroidal microvessels found in patients with IDDM. In view of the currently developed small molecule inhibitors of cell adhesion molecules, these independent observations together may provide a sound rationale to select P-selectin as a target for treating or preventing IDDM-associated micro- or macrovascular complications.

Insulin release and pancreatic insulin is reduced in young prediabetic BB rats

1986 ◽  
Vol 112 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Svenningsen ◽  
Thomas Dyrberg ◽  
Helle Markholst ◽  
Christian Binder ◽  
Åke Lernmark
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Release ◽  
Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Insulin Content ◽  
Dependent Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Clinical Onset ◽  
Pancreatic Insulin ◽  
Pancreatic Insulin Content ◽  
Bb Rats ◽  
Insulin Dependent ◽  
The Mean

Abstract. The pancreases of approximately 50 days old diabetes-prone BB/Hagedorn (BB/H) and of the genetically closely related, but non-diabetic BB w-subline (control BB) rats were perfused to determine the capacity of D-glucose to release insulin before the expected development of diabetes. The BB/H rats were from a colony with 82–84% incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) by 140 days of age. The total amount of insulin released from the BB/H rat pancreas during stimulation with 20 mmol/l D-glucose was reduced by nearly 50% (P <0.01). The initial peak of insulin release was similar between the two groups of animals, whereas the amount of insulin released during the second peak accounted for the diminished release (P < 0.01). The extractable pancreatic insulin was 30% (P < 0.05) less in the BB/H rats. Total insulin release expressed relative to the pancreatic insulin content, was therefore not different between the two groups. It is concluded that about 20–40 days before the mean age of clinical onset of IDDM in BB/H rats, the capacity to release insulin in response to D-glucose is reduced along with a diminished pancreatic insulin content. This abnormality seems to be preceded only by islet cell surface antibodies but not by insulitis.

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