Bioartificial Pancreas – A recent advancement in the treatment of Diabetes

A bioartificial pancreas—a device that supports and encapsulates islets of Langerhans— replaces the beta cells and islets which were destroyed by type 1 diabetes. Implanted in the peritoneal cavity or under the skin, it contains approximately a million islets. It responds to changing blood glucose levels by releasing hormones, mainly insulin.

Every bioartificial pancreas is manufactured from non-living and living components. The living component is the islets, which secrete insulin concurring to typical physiology by sensing glucose levels. The non-living component shields the islets from the diabetic’s body and its destructive immune mechanisms, however grants the islets inside to thrive.

There are several types of bioartificial pancreas which includes microencapsulated, or coated islets are the first-generation bioartificial pancreas. Their advantage is that nutrients can effectively move into the islets and insulin can move out. Among the downsides is that they are difficult to remove because they don’t remain in one place.

Macroencapsulation, another type, bunches islets cells together in a larger package. Such gadgets tend to be more stable and effectively extricated, but—at slightest in their earlier capsule form—may limit the free passage of insulin and nutrients. This starves the beta cells and hinders the objective of controlling blood glucose.

There are many technical challenges associated in using bioartificial pancreas. They are

·         Avoiding the immune response. The implemented bioartificial pancreas incites a fibrotic reaction, which restricts the islets from getting nutrition and thereby bioartificial pancreas passes on of starvation.

·         Enabling oxygen to enter to the core of the device. The measurements of most bioartificial pancreases don’t permit free passage of vital oxygen.

·         Fabricating the device without harming the islets. In some cases the process destroys numerous islets for the bioartificial pancreas to function.

·         Placing the device in close proximity to blood vessels, which provide nutrients and oxygen to the islets and carry secreted insulin to the rest of the body.

Different procedures are being investigated to extend the life and efficiency of transplanted islets. A few researchers are endeavouring to construct into the device helpful biochemical nutrients that release gradually. Other are centering on the shape and configuration of the bioartificial pancreas.