883 results about "Pancreatic islets" patented technology

The invention encompasses novel methods for developing a computer model of type 1 diabetes in a mammal. In particular, the models can include representations of biological processes associated with a pancreatic lymph node and one or more pancreatic islets. Alternatively, the models can include representations of biological processes associated with at least two conditions selected from the group consisting of autoreactive T cell production, autoreactive T cell priming, insulitis and hyperglycemia. The invention also provides methods for developing a computer model of a non-insulin replacement treatment of type 1 diabetes. The invention also encompasses computer models of type 1 diabetes, methods of simulating type 1 diabetes and computer systems for simulating type 1 diabetes and the uses thereof.

Methods and devices for ablating portions of a tissue volume with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to produce lattices of EMR-treated ablation islets in the tissue are disclosed, including lattices of micro-holes, micro-grooves, and other structures. Also, methods and devices for using the ablated islets are disclosed, including to deliver chromophores, filler, drugs and other substances to the tissue volume.

Apparatus (18) is provided for sensing electrical activity of a pancreas (20) of a patient. The apparatus (18) includes a set of one or more electrodes (100), adapted to be coupled to the pancreas (20), and to generate activity signals indicative of electrical activity of pancreatic cells which are in a plurality of islets of the pancreas (20). The apparatus (18) also includes a control unit (90), adapted to receive the activity signals, and to generate an output signal responsive thereto.

The invention relates to isolated DNA or RNA molecules comprising at least ten contiguous bases having a sequence in a pancreatic islet microRNA. In another embodiment, the invention relates to isolated single stranded pancreatic islet microRNA molecules or anti-pancreatic islet microRNA molecules.

It is intended to provide a method of forming pancreatic β cells from mesenchymal cells characterized by comprising using mammal-origin mesenchymal cells as starting cells, culturing these cells in the presence of, for example, a pancreatic β cell-forming agent, and selecting and separating the thus obtained pancreatic βcells with the use of a gene expressed specifically in such cells as a selection marker; a remedy for glucose intolerance which comprises pancreatic β cells obtained by the above method as the active ingredient; a pancreatic β cell-forming agent such as a cytokine to be used in the above method; a method of screening a candidate compound promoting the formation of pancreatic β cells from mesenchymal cells; and a pancreatic β cell formation promoter obtained by this screening method.

A method of generating cells capable of secreting insulin is disclosed. The method comprises subjecting mammalian embryonic stem cells to set of culturing conditions suitable for differentiation of at least a portion thereof into cells displaying at least one characteristic associated with a pancreatic islet cell progenitor phenotype, and subjecting such differentiated cells to a set of culturing conditions suitable for formation of surface bound cell clusters including insulin producing cells.

Kits and compositions for producing an alginate gel are disclosed. The kits and compositions comprise soluble alginate and insoluble alginate/gelling ion particles. Methods for dispensing a self-gelling alginate dispersion are disclosed. The methods comprise forming a dispersion of insoluble alginate/gelling ion particles in a solution containing soluble alginate, and dispensing the dispersion whereby the dispersion forms an alginate gel matrix. The methods may include dispensing the dispersion into the body of an individual. An alginate gel having a thickness of greater than 5 mm and a homogenous alginate matrix network and homogenous alginate gels free of one or more of: sulfates citrates, phosphates, lactatates, EDTA or lipids are disclosed. Implantable devices comprising a homogenous alginate gel coating are disclosed. Methods of improving the viability of pancreatic islets, or other cellular aggregates or tissue, following isolation and during storage and transport are disclosed.

The invention provides a method of modulating blood glucose levels by treating or preventing pancreas-related disorders with thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) or a TRH derivative. Diabetes mellitus, pancreatic islet destruction, pancreatic beta cell malfunction, and hyperglycemia-related malfunction are preferably treated or prevented.

The present invention relates to the phytocannabinoid tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) for use in the protection of pancreatic islet cells. Preferably the pancreatic islet cells to be protected are beta cells. More preferably the protection of the pancreatic islet cells maintains insulin production at levels which are able to substantially control or improve control of blood glucose levels in a patient.

The present invention relates to delivery systems. In particular, the present invention provides microporous scaffolds having thereon agents (e.g., extracellular matrix proteins, exendin-4) and biological material (e.g., pancreatic islet cells). In some embodiments, the scaffolds are used for transplanting biological material into a subject. In some embodiments, the scaffolds are used in the treatment of diseases (e.g., type 1 diabetes), and related methods (e.g., diagnostic methods, research methods, drug screening).

An immunoisolatory vehicle for the implantation into an individual of cells which produce a needed product or provide a needed metabolic function. The vehicle is comprised of a core region containing isolated cells and materials sufficient to maintain the cells, and a permselective, biocompatible, peripheral region free of the isolated cells, which immunoisolates the core yet provides for the delivery of the secreted product or metabolic function to the individual. The vehicle is particularly well-suited to delivery of insulin from immunoisolated islets of Langerhans, and can also be used advantageously for delivery of high molecular weight products, such as products larger than IgG. A method of making a biocompatible, immunoisolatory implantable vehicle, consisting in a first embodiment of a coextrusion process, and in a second embodiment of a stepwise process. A method for isolating cells within a biocompatible, immunoisolatory implantable vehicle, which protects the isolated cells from attack by the immune system of an individual in whom the vehicle is implanted. A method of providing a needed biological product or metabolic function to an individual, comprising implanting into the individual an immunoisolatory vehicle containing isolated cells which produce the product or provide the metabolic function.

The invention relates to methods for potentiating, enhancing or restoring glucose responsivity in pancreatic islets or cells. The methods can be used as therapies for diseases caused by, or coincident with, aberrant glucose metabolism, such as Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus and other conditions relating to inadequate insulin or diminished levels of insulin can be treated by administering a pancreatic islet cell regeneration agent and/or an agent that transforms pancreatic ductal cells to islet cells in combination with administration of an agent that selectively inhibits, blocks, or destroys the autoimmune cells that target pancreatic islet cells.

The invention relates to flour suitable for patients with diabetes mellitus. The flour is prepared by uniformly stirring powder made of traditional Chinese medicines, such as rhizoma polygonati, kudzu-vine root, Chinese yam, tuckahoe, semen coicis, mulberry fruit, frosted mulberry leaf, raw hawthorn and semen euryales and the mixed flour of different grain, such as soya bean, string bean, cow peaand wheat which are beneficial to the patients with diabetes mellitus in a certain proportion and can be used for producing various foods suitable for the patients with diabetes mellitus to have as aprincipal food. The special meal flour has the obvious effects of systemically adjusting glucose metabolism, lightening the pancreatic island load, improving carbohydrate tolerance, microcirculation and the function of the visceral organ, reducing blood fat and blood viscosity and eliminating radicals. The special meal flour is suitable for the patient withs diabetes mellitus, adiposity, hyperlipemia, high blood viscosity, adiposis hepatica, hypertension and heart cerebrovascular disease and middle-aged and old people to have as the principal food.

The present invention provides certain animals, and in particular porcine animals, tissue and cells derived from these, which lack any expression of functional alpha 1,3 galactosyltransferase (αGT) and express one or more additional transgenes which make them suitable donors for pancreatic islet xenotransplantation. Methods of treatment and prevention of diabetes using cells derived from such animals are also provided.