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Goals and Benefits of Islet Transplantation
The goal of islet transplantation is to infuse enough islets into portal circulation of the liver to control the blood glucose level without extra insulin injections. Because good control of blood glucose can slow or prevent the progression of complications associated with diabetes, such as nerve or eye damage, a successful transplant may prevent and/or halt the progression. A transplant recipient will need to take drugs that stop the immune system from rejecting the transplanted islets. Rejection is the biggest problem early on with any type of transplant. The immune system is programmed to destroy bacteria, viruses, and tissue it recognizes as “foreign,” including transplanted islets. Immunosuppressive or anti-rejection drugs are needed to keep the transplanted islets functioning.
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