WEDNESDAY, Feb. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists have found a way to convert human embryonic stem (ES) cells into cells that release insulin in response to glucose and ease a diabetes-like condition in mice, a new study says.

Further research and development of this technique could lead to a renewable source of cells for treatment of people with diabetes, according to Emmanuel Baetge, of Novocell Inc., in San Diego, and colleagues, who published their work online in the current issue of Nature Biotechnology.

Type 1 and some forms of type 2 diabetes involve the loss of pancreatic beta cells, which regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels by releasing insulin, according to background information in a news release about the study.

In previous work, Baetge and the team were able to coax human ES cells part of the way toward becoming beta cells, but not far enough for them to carry out the key function of mature beta cells, which is the release of insulin in response to glucose.

In this new study, the researchers transplanted immature beta cells derived from human ES cells into mice whose beta cells had been destroyed by chemical treatment. After one to three months, the transplanted cells developed into glucose-responsive, insulin-secreting cells and helped control blood glucose levels in the mice.

Previous research demonstrated that transplantation of pancreatic beta cells (within islets) can help control diabetes in humans. But the therapy relies on cells from donor pancreases, meaning that the supply of such cells is limited. That's why scientists are trying to develop alternative sources of beta cells, such as those derived from human ES cells.

More information

The American Diabetes Association has more about islet transplantation  .

(HealthDay News) - Diabetics are prone to many complications, particularly if their blood sugar levels aren't well controlled.

Diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, makes it difficult for the nerves to send signals to other parts of the body. The symptoms described below should be evaluated by a physician without delay.

The American Academy of Family Physicians lists these warning signs of nerve damage in diabetics:

• Numbness, particularly in the fingers or toes.
• Sharp pains or a tingling sensation.
• Sores found on the feet.
• Weakness in the muscles.
• A burning sensation anywhere in the body.
• Male erectile dysfunction.

FRIDAY, Feb. 22 (HealthDay News) -- The current standard test for measuring blood sugar control in people with diabetes gives inaccurate results for people on kidney hemodialysis, a U.S. study finds.

Hemodialysis, used to treat patients with kidney failure, involves cleansing blood by circulating it through an artificial kidney machine.

This Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center study of 307 diabetes patients -- 258 with end-stage kidney disease and 49 who didn't have kidney failure -- found that the HbA1c test underestimated true glucose control in hemodialysis patients. The report is published in the journal Kidney International.

These results suggest that the almost 200,000 diabetic hemodialysis patients in the United States who use this test may not be receiving optimal care for their blood sugar, study senior author Dr. Barry J. Freedman, a professor of internal medicine and nephrology, said in a prepared statement.

Diabetic patients on hemodialysis who believe their blood sugar levels are in the ideal range may actually have unacceptably high blood sugar levels, he noted.

"This was a surprise to the nephrology community. The test we've all come to accept as the gold standard has proven to be inaccurate in this patient population," Freedman said.

He said doctors and patients need to be aware that the HbA1c test underestimates glucose control.

This study was funded by Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp. of Japan, which makes a newer test that measures the amount of blood sugar that's reacted with albumin, a protein in the plasma. The GA (glycated albumin) test is not available in the United States.

More information

The National Kidney Foundation has more about hemodialysis  .