Pancreas transplantation in streptozotocin-diabetic juvenile pigs. Evaluation of function among duct-ligated, duct-occluded, and nonligated allografts.
This study examined pancreatic allograft function in transplanted diabetic juvenile pigs. The grafts were transplanted with ligated, occluded (Ethibloc) or open ducts. No immunosuppression was used. Irreversible and permanent diabetes was induced by streptozotocin. Graft function was assessed by measuring glucose tolerance and insulin production during an i.v. glucose tolerance test. The fractional growth rate of the transplanted host was used to evaluate the long-term consequence of transplantation. Normal glucose tolerance was achieved in 50%, and a slight impairment in 10% of the animals. In 35%, no detectable graft function was observed. Duct-ligated and Ethibloc-occluded grafts had a significantly lower function rate within the first week compared with grafts with open ducts. The fractional growth rate was significantly decreased in animals receiving grafts with occluded ducts. This was probably not due to different insulin production. No graft failures were observed within the first week in open-duct graft transplantations. Graft failures were associated with elevated serum alpha-amylase and were probably due to vascular impairment. Normal glucose tolerance in transplanted pigs was associated with elevated levels of normal insulin and C-peptide in peripheral blood, concomitant with low levels of proinsulin. Our results show that a pancreatic graft should be transplanted with open ducts. Obstructed ducts lead to an increased frequency of graft failure, while the transplanted hosts with such functioning grafts show retarded growth due to unidentified factors.
D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D016035:Pancreas Transplantation; D013552:Swine; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous