A
Adult Stem Cells-Stem cells found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ.
Allogeneic-Genetically different.
Alpha Cells-Cells in the islets of Langerhans that produce glucagon.
Arteriosclerosis-Hardening of the arteries.
Autoimmune response-An immune response by the body against its own tissues or cells
Autologous-Genetically identical.
B
Beta Cells-Insulin producing cells found in the Islets of Langerhans of the pancreas.
Body Mass Index- A measurement of the relative percentages of fat and muscle mass in the human body, in which weight in kilograms is divided by height in meters and the result used as an index of obesity.
Brittle-Patients who experience rapid disproportionate blood glucose changes despite practicing tight control, in good compliance with their insulin regimen.
C
Cadaveric Pancreases-Organs obtained from brain-dead donors whose pancreases are still functioning and are capable of being harvested.
Collagenase-An enzyme used to purify islet cells.
Critical Mass- The necessary or sufficient number of islets required to reverse diabetes. In the Edmonton Procedure this mass was 9,000 IEq/kg of recipient body weight.
D
Daclizumab-An immunosuppressive medication used for the Edmonton protocol as a less toxic substitute for glucocorticoids.
Delta Cells-Cells in the Islets of Langerhans that produce somatostatin and serve as support structures for alpha and beta cells.
Diabetogenic-Capable of causing diabetes.
E
Embryonic Stem Cells-Stem cells taken from embryos that have been fertilized in vitro.
Embryoid Body-A clump of embryonic stem cells that signify the beginning of cell differentiation.
F
G
Glucagon-A hormone that raises blood sugar levels.
Glucocorticoids-Steroid-like compounds that are used as immunosuppressants. This class of medication has proven to be quite diabetogenic.
H
Hematopoietic Stem Cells- A type of adult stem cell that is found in bone marrow and serves of the progenitor of blood cells
Hypercholesterolemia-High blood cholesterol.
Hyperglycemia-Abnormally high blood sugar levels, commonly due to a lack of insulin. Can cause diabetic ketoacidosis.
Hyperinsulinemia-Excess insulin levels in the blood commonly due to insulin resistance.
Hypoglycemia-Abnormally low blood sugar levels, commonly due to an overabundance of insulin. Can cause sudden hunger, weakness, and tremors.
Hypoglycemic Unawareness-The inability to recognize impending hypoglycemic episodes.
I
Immunoisolation-A technique that physically separates implanted donor cells from the recipient's immune system.
Immunosuppressants-Drugs given to transplant recipients that weaken the body's immune system in order to prevent graft rejection.
Insulin-A hormone secreted by the Islets of Langerhans that regulates glucose levels in the blood
Islet Cells-Vascularized clusters of alpha cells, beta cells, and delta cells in the pancreas. Also called Islets of Langerhans.
J
K
Ketoacidosis-A condition caused by lack of insulin, resulting in ketone build-up in the blood. Can cause coma or death.
Ketones-Chemicals produced in the bloodstream to break down fat for energy. Can accumulate in the blood in the absence of adequate insulin levels, which can produce ketoacidosis.
L
M
Macroalbuminuria-The appearance of large amounts of the protein albumin in the urine. A sign of impending end-stage renal failure.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells-A type of adult stem cells found in bone marrow that can differentiate into a variety non-hematopoietic cells, such as bone, cartilage, muscle, and neural cells.
Metabolic Control-The ability to control the rate of metabolic processes in response to changes in the internal or external environment.
Microalbuminuria-The appearance of small amounts of the protein albumin in urine. A sign that the kidney's filtering system is beginning to weaken.
N
Nephrotoxic-Capable of causing kidney damage.
O
P
Pancreas-A gland that produces enzymes to aid the digestive process, as well as insulin.
Pancreatic Tissue Fibrosis-Scarring of the pancreas tissue.
Pancreatitis-The inflammation of the pancreas.
Plasticity-The ability of adult stem cells to differentiate into cells not found in their native tissue or organ.
Portal Vein-The vein that transfers blood from the intestinal system to the liver.
Q
R
Retinopathy-Degenerative vision failure that occurs in diabetics when high blood sugar levels cause weakening in retinal blood vessels.
S
Sirolimus-An immunosuppressive medication used in the Edmonton Protocol due to its decreased toxicity to islet and kidney cells. Also called Rapamycin.
Stem Cells-Undifferentiated cells that have the ability to proliferate indefinitely in defined culture and differentiate into many different cell types.
T
Tacrolimus-An immunosuppressive medication used for the Edmonton protocol. Although it is less toxic to islets than other medications, it may still play a role in the eventual failure of many transplants. Also called FK506.
Total Cold Ischemia Time- Time between the cross-clamping of the donor's aorta and the infusion of islets into the recipient
Tumorigenic-Capable of causing cancerous tumors.
U
V
Vascular Thrombosis-Clotting in a blood vessel.
W
X
Y
Z
