The Bone Marrow Cavity Is Suitable for Islet Transplantation in Diabetic Rhesus Monkey.

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we investigated whether the bone marrow cavity was better than liver for islet transplantation in diabetic rhesus monkeys. Methods: Rhesus monkeys were used as recipients and made diabetic with STZ at least 14 days before transplantation. Islets were isolated from rhesus monkeys. In this study, two groups were included: group 1 (n=2), freshly isolated islets (11464 ± 2140 IEQ/kg) were transplanted into liver; group 2 (n=5), same dose of islets were transplanted into bone marrow cavity of the tibia. An immunosuppression regimen was used to prolong allograft survival with Lymphocyte Immune Globulin, Tacrolimus and Sirolimus The IVGTT was performed at 1 month after transplantation to evaluate the function of the engrafted islets. The fasting blood glucose levels were monitored twice a week. Results: Five recipients in experimental group maintained normoglycemia without insulin therapy up to 95-195 days.Figure: No Caption available.In contrast, two recipients in control group were only 39 and 58 days, respectively. IVGTT results showed islet grafts were fully functional in both groups. Functional islets in bone marrow cavity were detected up to 225 days after transplantation by DTZ stain. Conclusions: The operation of islets engrafted into bone marrow cavity is easier than into liver. The allogeneic islets in bone marrow cavity can survive and keep function for longer period than in liver in diabetic rhesus monkeys. The bone marrow cavity is a better site for islet transplantation.