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CMC gets Rs. 80 lakhs for cell transplant trials

By Our Staff Reporter

VELLORE, FEB. 10. The Department of Physiology, Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, has obtained a grant of Rs. 50 lakhs from the Department of Science and Technology and Rs. 30 lakhs from the Department of Bio-Technology for carrying out research in transplanting the Islets of Langerhans from brain-dead humans to rats.

This project, if successful, would pave the way for conducting trials on their transplantation to insulin-dependent diabetes patients. This could prove a possible permanent cure for diabetes.

The Department of Physiology is among the first in the world to separate insulin-secreting Islets of Langerhans alive from monkey pancreas. Talking to newspersons here today, Dr. Jayaprakash Muliyil, Principal of CMC, and Dr. Gunasekaran, Professor of Physiology and Principal Investigator on the project, said that the department was isolating more than 1,000 insulin-secreting Islets of Langerhans from monkey pancreas. Rats were being made diabetic by the injection of a chemical, streptozotocin. When monkey islets were transplanted into these rats, the rats had normal blood glucose levels.

The Multi-Organ Harvesting Aid Network Foundation, Chennai, has agreed to provide pancreas from brain-dead donors. Permission has been obtained from the Central Government for carrying out the research.

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