UW-Madison Hospital testing experimental treatment for juvenile diabetes

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A University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison is testing an experimental treatment for Type 1 juvenile diabetes.

Adult stem cells are put into patients intravenously, with the goal of reducing the inflammation that stops the body from making insulin.

Type 1 diabetics must use shots or pumps to get the insulin that’s needed to ward off heart disease, blindness, amputations or other serious problems.

The UW is one of a number of hospitals throughout the country involved in the new study.

John Markwardt, 20, of Wausau received his first infusion last week and he hopes it makes him less dependent on insulin.

He learned he had the condition in March, when he started urinating more often and his vision got blurry.

The new treatment is not meant for Type 2 adult diabetes which is often caused by inactivity or obesity.

Tags: uw hospital, juvenile diabetes, experimental treatment, wisconsin, madison