Islet transplantation is a medical procedure where islets, or groups of cells, from a donor pancreas are transplanted into the recipient's pancreas. The word 'islet' is spelled /ˈaɪslət/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress on the first syllable. The 'i' is pronounced as the long 'i' sound, and the 's' sound is followed by a schwa sound (/ə/). The word 'transplantation' is spelled /ˌtrænsplænˈteɪʃən/, with the stress on the second syllable. The 'a' is pronounced as the short 'a' sound, and the 't' is followed by a glottal stop (/ʔ/).
Islet transplantation refers to a procedure in which islets, clusters of cells within the pancreas that contain insulin-producing cells called beta cells, are transplanted from a donor into a recipient. Islet transplantation is primarily performed to treat individuals with type 1 diabetes who have severe hypoglycemia unawareness or metabolic instability, despite optimal medical therapy.
During the procedure, islets are isolated from a donated pancreas through a process called pancreatic islet isolation. This involves enzymatic digestion of the pancreas and purification of the islets. Once isolated, the islets are infused into the portal vein of the recipient's liver, where they are able to engraft and function in producing insulin.
The goal of islet transplantation is to achieve insulin independence or significant improvement in blood glucose control in recipients, thereby reducing the risks associated with diabetes and improving their quality of life. After transplantation, recipients typically require lifelong immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection of the transplanted islets.
Islet transplantation is a promising alternative to whole pancreas transplantation, which carries higher surgical risks. It also offers advantages such as easier organ availability, shorter hospital stays, and less invasive surgical procedures. However, it is important to note that islet transplantation is not yet a routine clinical therapy and is typically performed in specialized centers. Research and advancements in islet transplantation techniques and immunosuppression continue to make this treatment option more accessible and effective for individuals with type 1 diabetes.
The etymology of the word "islet transplantation" can be understood by breaking down the individual components:
1. Islet: The term "islet" is derived from the Old English word "igland", which meant "small island". In the context of biology and medicine, it refers to the small groups of cells found in the pancreas called "islets of Langerhans". These islets contain different types of cells, including beta cells that produce insulin.
2. Transplantation: The word "transplantation" comes from the Latin word "transplantare", which combines "trans" meaning "across" or "beyond", and "plantare" meaning "to plant". In the medical field, transplantation refers to the process of transferring cells, tissues, or organs from one individual (the donor) to another (the recipient).