Michael R. Rickels, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Associate Director Type 1 Diabetes Unit, Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism (I.D.O.M.)
Program
Summary
Dr. Rickels' research focus involves the metabolic consequences of islet transplantation. Islet transplantation is an exciting potential treatment for type 1 diabetes that is currently being studied in experimental human trials and in animal models of type 1 diabetes. By replacing the insulin-producing ß-cells that are destroyed by an autoimmune process in type 1 diabetes, recipients of islet transplants can reduce and sometimes eliminate their requirement for insulin therapy while achieving the near-normal blood glucose levels known to be essential for reducing the micro-vascular complications of diabetes.
Importantly, near-normal blood glucose control can be achieved with islet transplantation without the occurrence of hypoglycemic episodes. Because hypoglycemia often impedes the attainment of optimal glucose control with intensive insulin regimens, islet transplantation is a particularly attractive therapy for patients experiencing recurrent episodes of severe hypoglycemia. Nevertheless, current islet transplants require islets isolated from at least two donor pancreata in order to eliminate insulin requirements and appear to lose function precipitously over time. Important challenges thus remain in understanding the function of transplanted islets and in developing novel strategies that may promote improved function for a longer duration.
Publications Please visit PubMed for a commplete list of publications.
Rickels MR, Langer JE, Mandel SJ. Hyperfunctioning intra-thyroidal parathyroid cyst. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 89: 1051-1052, 2004.
Rickels MR, Mandel SJ. Celiac disease manifesting as isolated hypocalcemia. Endocrine Practice 10: 203-207, 2004.
Rickels MR, Mandel SJ. Hypocalciuric hypercalcemia and autoantibodies against the calcium-sensing receptor. New England Journal of Medicine 351: 2237-2238, 2004 (letter).
Rickels MR, Nichols CW. Pseudotumor cerebri in patients with Cushing's disease. Endocrine Practice 10: 492-496, 2004.
Rickels MR, Snyder PJ. Cabergoline decreases somatotroph adenoma size: a case report. Pituitary 7: 107-110, 2004.
Rickels MR, Schutta MH, Markmann JF, Barker CF, Naji A, Teff KL. ?-cell function following human islet transplantation for type 1 diabetes. Diabetes 54: 100-106, 2005.
Rickels MR, Zhang X, Mumm S, Whyte MP. Oropharyngeal skeletal disease accompanying high bone mass and novel LRP5 mutation. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 20: 878-885, 2005.
Rickels MR, Schutta MH, Mueller R, Markmann JF, Barker CF, Naji A, Teff KL. Glucose counter-regulation following human islet transplantation: preliminary results. Diabetes 54 (Suppl 1): A87, 2005.
Trout KK, Rickels M, Petrova M, Schutta M, Tkacs NC, Teff KL. Menstrual cycle effects on insulin sensitivity in women with type 1 diabetes. American Diabetes Association 65th Scientific Sessions, June 10-14, 2005. Diabetes 54 (Suppl 1): A645, 2005.
Loh JA, Rickels MR, Williams J, Iqbal N. Total parenteral nutrition in the management of hyperlipidemic pancreatitis during pregnancy. Endocrine Practice (in press).
