Islamabad, Jun 25 (INP): In a groundbreaking achievement, Chinese scientists have cured a patient of diabetes using cell therapy for the first time. This medical breakthrough offers hope to diabetes sufferers worldwide. The collaboration and knowledge-sharing on this advancement across borders can accelerate scientific advancements. “By learning from each other’s successes, Pakistani and Chinese scientists can collectively contribute to diabetes research and patient care”, says Dr. Nauman Niaz, Diabetologist and Endocrinologist in Islamabad. “We can learn from this breakthrough as they can explore stem cell research to develop therapies for diabetes. Stem cells can be converted into various tissues, including pancreatic cells, which play a crucial role in insulin production”, he said. “They have used islet-like cells from human stem cells to create new pancreas islet tissue.

We can study similar approaches to improve islet transplants for diabetes patients.  The Chinese study also tested a chemical cocktail that transformed stem cells into brain, muscle, kidney, and pancreatic tissue. Pakistani scientists can investigate similar chemical combinations for effective diabetes treatment”, Dr. Niaz added. Pakistan is faced with an alarming surge in diabetes cases. According to recent statistics, over 33 million people, or over 26% of the adult population in Pakistan, are living with diabetes.  Obesity and sugar intake are the major causes of diabetes. Moreover, an additional 11 million adults in Pakistan have Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), putting them at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Experts believe that the situation calls for urgent attention and measures to address this growing health concern.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China