The PRP Plasmolifting procedure in the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Platelet-rich plasma is not only applicable to the treatment of external diseases. Recent scientific developments show that autologous blood plasma can significantly influence the course and treatment success of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The Plasmolifting procedure is used to help patients with both types of diabetes. Learn more about how this procedure works in treating this disease below.

Recently, scientists studying diabetes mellitus have noted a sharp increase in this disease around the world. The American Diabetes Association has demonstrated in its statistical surveys that at least 1.5 million people are diagnosed with diabetes each year. About 9.4% (30.3 million people) already suffer from this disease, of which 7.2 million are unaware of its pathology and the fact that they need help. Platelet-rich plasma treatment (PRP, PRP Plasmolifting) in the fight against diabetes is the latest development that can potentially eliminate the main causes of the disease and cure it.      

Diabetes mellitus: the essence and main causes of the disease

Diabetes mellitus develops when the body cannot produce enough insulin to process the glucose in the blood.  When the body digests food, it converts the nutrients into glucose. Insulin, in turn, converts glucose into energy, which is used to perform various functions and activities. Insulin is a polypeptide hormone produced by the pancreas in β-cells or what is known as the islets of Langerhans.

Genetic factors and an unhealthy lifestyle can create a stressful situation for the pancreas, as a result of which the organ is unable to regenerate and renew islet cells.  When the volume of β-cells decreases, type 1 or type 2 diabetes develops.

Is there a medicine for type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes develops when the immune system attacks the pancreas, destroying islets and β-cells. As a result, patients must inject insulin throughout the day to maintain optimal blood sugar levels. There is currently no medicine for type 1 diabetes. After all, diabetics are able, under the supervision of the doctor and observing his recommendations, to monitor the course of the disease and lead a normal life.

Doctors have yet to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. According to scientists at the Mayo Clinic, genetic causes or environmental factors such as viruses can contribute to the body's proper immune response. In the future, however, doctors could transplant stem cells or treat them with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stopping the spread of diabetes and helping patients by growing new islet cells.

Can stem cells cure type 1 diabetes?

Embryonic stem cells

Scientists are currently experimenting with donor stem cells that can develop into islet cells. A report published in New Scientist describes how Viacyte's doctors isolated embryonic stem cells from a donor. These cells were later incorporated into a PEC Direct implant and injected under the skin of patients. Today two patients wear these implants. Doctors estimate that it takes the stem cells about three months to transform into new islet cells that can reverse the course of type 1 diabetes. However, this method has disadvantages. For example, limited availability of donor cells and their possible rejection by the body because they are foreign to it.

Autologous stem cells

To solve the problem of availability and rejection, many clinics offer autologous (body's own) stem cells to treat diabetes. Doctors take the stem cells from fatty tissue on the patient's abdomen. After that, they clean and activate the stem cells and then inject them back into the patient's body with intravenous infusions. As the stem cells mature, they can develop into islet cells and prevent the development of diabetes.

Autologous PRP treatment

In the future, the PRP procedure could become the most effective tool in the fight against diabetes. This is because PRP eliminates the problem of low stem cell availability by stimulating the growth of cells from the patient's own blood. In many respects, this procedure is similar to treatment with autologous stem cells. However, Platelet Rich Plasma treatment (PRP, Plasmolifting) goes beyond basic stem cell therapy as it adds many other repair cells to the mix, increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.

How can PRP treatment help stop diabetes?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment is a form of therapy that rejuvenates worn-out cells and tissues by boosting the body's natural healing processes. Doctors take a sample of blood from the patient and centrifuge it to extract platelets, growth factors, mesenchymal stem cells, and other vital factors. When these factors reach the therapy application site, they trigger a complex of sequential regenerative mechanisms, resulting in tissue healing and cell rejuvenation.

In animal experiments, scientists investigated whether these processes can be initiated in the islet cells.  They theorized that PRP treatment promotes the growth and development of islet cells. If this is confirmed, doctors could stimulate the β-cells to start producing insulin again. As a result, patients would be freed from the dependency on regular injections of synthetic insulin and drugs and could lead normal lives. In addition, the application of PRP therapy for diabetes treatment would help avoid the main disadvantage of other methods, such as in the stem cell therapy. The whole thing is about the body recognizing platelet-rich plasma as its own tissue. And therefore, it is unlikely to provoke its rejection or allergic reaction.

In the course of research, it was shown that growth factors in PRP treatment of diabetes successfully stimulated the pancreas to produce more islet and β-cells. Scientists found that new lobules were formed in the pancreas.

With diabetes likely to be the most prevalent disease in the years to come, physicians are looking for competitive and affordable treatment options. And the PRP method in the fight against diabetes could become the best option.

Treatment of diabetes mellitus in the Dr. Renat Achmerow®`s clinics

Our specialists receive specialized training and undergo regular further training in order to be able to better help their patients. You can always register for a preliminary diagnosis and discuss the necessary treatment. We also follow global scientific developments in the field of autologous blood plasma applications, conduct our own research and share relevant information and research results with you. Our patients improve their health, increase their level of medical knowledge and achieve better therapeutic results using the Plasmolifting procedure.