Reversal of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats by intraperitoneal implantation of encapsulated neonatal rabbit pancreatic tissue.
Implants of rabbit neonatal pancreas, encased in 'Nucleopore' chambers (0.4 micrometer) reversed streptozotocin-induced diabetes in the rat. Blood-glucose, plasma-insulin, and oral glucose-tolerance test returned to normal. An isolated, perfused, streptozotocin-treated pancreas removed from a diabetic animal did not secrete insulin and removal of implants after 6 weeks from six animals caused all animals to die in hyperglycaemia within 8 days. This shows that the implant did not lead to the re-establishment of endogenous pancreatic function. Implanted diced neonatal pancreas in three chambers removed after 6 weeks secreted glucagon, insulin, and pancreatic polypeptide in vitro. No rejection reactions were seen. Rabbit neonatal pancreatic implants may thus be feasible therapy in insulin-requiring diabetic patients. Implants of other non-syngeneic endocrine cells--i.e., pituitary, thyroid, and ovary--may be useful in other hypoendocrine syndromes.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000601:surgery; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D013311:Streptozocin; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D013311:Streptozocin