A clinical trial  by an Australian company of transplantation of Diabecell, encapsulated pig islet cells has reportedly shown clinically significant results in Russia (two out of 7 type 1 diabetics were able to come off insulin).  The great thing about this potential treatment is that the cells are encapsulated and shouldn't trigger an immune response.

 

The New Zealand government has just announced its approval for a Phase 1/11a clinical trial of diabecell.  Eight "brittle" type 1 diabetics will take part in the trial which is expected to take two years.

 

Australian T1 diabetics will have to wait, however, because of a moratorium in place by the Australian Government on, xenotransplantation, the technology behind Diabecell. 

 

Speaking to the Medical News, Professon John Dwyer, Emeritus Professor at the University of New SOuth Wales said "This technique has enormous potential to reduce suffering and the enormous costs involved in treating diabetes and its many complications. The approval of this trial in New Zealand will hopefully lead to a reconsideration of the current moratorium on xenotransplantation in Australia.

 

Given the safety data now available I am convinced the Australian Government should lift its ban on Australian clinical researchers doing similar trials. We have many leaders in the field in Australia ready to contribute to the global effort to cure diabetes,"

 

 

 Well,the wonderful people at the School of Sports Science, Exercise and Health at University of Western Australia are doing some great work in this area.  Some of you may have attended their DiabetesFits sports camp in April.

 

They have published some of their research about exercise and bsls here.  It's worth checking out, if you're in Perth you might even like to get involved in their research!