Albuminuria after fetal pancreatic islet transplantation : a 10-year follow-up

The prevention of diabetic nephropathy is as yet an unresolved issue. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of transplantation of long-term cultured and cryopreserved fetal pancreas islets on metabolic control and the development of diabetic nephropathy. Serum C-peptide, glucose, HbA1c, insulin requirements, urinary albumin excretion rate, and blood pressure of 10 insulin-dependent diabetic patients after transplantation were compared with a group of 27 insulin-dependent diabetic controls on insulin therapy only during a 10-year follow-up. In the first year after transplantation mean insulin requirement decreased from 53.6+/-2.2 to 35.8+/-1.2 units. C-peptide levels appeared (0.55+/-0.08 ng/ml) and remained detectable throughout the follow-up. Blood glucose and HbA1c were significantly (P