Pig pancreas transplant proved effective for type-1 diabetes

Chinese researchers have successfully used pigs' pancreas in transplant operations on three type-1 diabetes patients, a significant achievement in the treatment of the disease, it was announced Friday.

The three operations occurred between July 2013 and February 2016 at the Third Xiangya Hospital affiliated to Central South University in Hunan Province.

One patient's use of insulin has been reduced by 80.5 percent, while for the other two it was reduced by 57 percent and 56 percent, according to Wang Wei, a professor with the hospital.

The transplant program was conducted in partnership with researchers from University of Sydney, Australia.

The medium-term results were reliable, according to a review of the program, organized by the Hunan provincial health authorities.

The research is expected to help solve the shortage of organs for transplants. Endi