Relation of implanted beta cell mass and metabolic status following transplantation of pancreatic fragments in the dog

Abstract

20 dogs underwent total pancreatectomy. Pancreatic fragments were produced using an intraductal collagenase perfusion technique and mechanical disruption of the pancreatic gland. The resulting tissue suspension was transplanted as an autotransplant to the spleen of each animal by intravenous reflux injection into the splenic vein. In 75% of all transplanted animals long-term function with normoglycemia was restored while i.v. glucose tolerance tests were impaired as compared to 13 controls. The spleen insulin content of these successfully transplanted animals corresponded to only 5 to 15% of the original pancreas insulin content which was responsible for the reduced function. Intraductal collagenase perfusion is a reliable method to restore normoglycemia after total pancreatectomy in the autotransplant model using pancreatic fragments. To improve the metabolic function of the islet transplant an increased number of islets has to be implanted.