Different treatment regimens to reduce microbial contamination of purified porcine islets of Langerhans.
BACKGROUND
Different treatment regimens for minimizing microbial contamination of purified porcine islets were analyzed.


METHODS
Purified islets, prepared from abattoir-excised pancreata (n=26), were cultured in Hams F-12 with or without antibiotics after islet isolation. Aliquots of pancreas transport media were all contaminated with microbes (100%). Of those islets cultured with no antibiotics, 70% were contaminated, compared with 42% of the islets cultured in penicillin and streptomycin (P/S) (P>0.05). A further 20 consecutive pancreata were then randomized to saline washing (N=10) before islet isolation. Islets were then cultured in either Hams F-12 with P/S (groups C and E) or Hams F-12 with gentamicin, penicillin, and amphotericin B (G/P/A) (groups D and F).


RESULTS
None of those purified islets prepared from washed pancreata and then undergoing culture in Hams F-12 with G/P/A (group F) were contaminated. This compared with 30% contamination when islets were cultured in P/S (group E). Neither antibiotic regimen compromised stimulated insulin release (P=0.13).


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion pancreas washing in saline and culture in G/P/A was shown to eradicate detectable microbial contamination of purified porcine islets isolated from abattoir-excised pancreata.
White
S A
SA
Department of Surgery, University of Leicester, England, United Kingdom.
Swann
A
A
Hughes
D P
DP
Contractor
H H
HH
London
N J
NJ
D000818:Animals; D004340:Drug Contamination; D007515:Islets of Langerhans; D009926:Organ Preservation / Q000592:standards*; D013552:Swine