Inlet cell transplantation: important factors contributing to optimal pancreatic function

ABSTRACT

This study investigates four factors which are of utmost importance in contributing to optimal function of pancreatic tissue fragment allo transplants. Those being viability of donor tissue, optimal weight of pancreatic tissue fragments, method of allograft preparation, and site of implantation. Seven groups of unrelated mongrel dogs underwent total pancreatectomy before being randomly assigned to one of the follo wing experimental groups. Group I (n = 10) anmimales were transplanted with >0.75 g/kg of viable, pancreatic tissue fragments, whereas those in Group II (n = 6) received <0.75 g/kg of nonviable pancreatic pieces. In both groups, the donor pancreases were processed without collagenase, before being injected into the renal subcapsular space. Mean survical among Group I animals was 43 ñ 17 days (M ñ SD), while dogs in Group II survived a mean of 2.6 ñ 0.9 days (M ñ SD). Dogs in Group III (n = 5) were injected in the supracapsular peritoneum with >0.75 g/kg of viable, collagenase-frww pancreatic tissue fragments, and mean survical was noted to be 3.1 ñ 1.2 days (M ñ SD). Recipients in Group IV (n = 5) received >0.75 g/kg of nonviable pancreatic tissue pieces prepared without collagenase in the renal subcapasular space, resulting in a mean survical of 2.8 ñ 0.9 days (M ñ SD). Group V (n = 6) animals survived a mean of 20 ñ 18 days (M ñ SD) when transplanted with >0.75 g/kg of viable pancreatic tissue fragments prepared with collagenase, in the renal subcapsular space. Animals in Group VI (n = 6) were injected intrasplenically with <0.75 g/kg of nonviable pancreatic pieces prepared without collagenase, and survived a mean of 4.2 ñ 1.2 days (M ñ SD). Viable, intrasplenic allografts of >0.75 g/kg were prepared with collagenase and administered to Group VII (n = 6) animals, who survived a mean of 7.7 ñ 4.6 days (M ñ SD). Animals in groups I-VII were given 2.5 mg/kg/day of azathioprine post-transplant, until death...