MRI of transplanted pancreatic islets.
A promising treatment method for type 1 diabetes mellitus is transplantation of pancreatic islets containing beta-cells. The aim of this study was to develop an MR technique to monitor the distribution and fate of transplanted pancreatic islets in an animal model. Twenty-five hundred purified and magnetically labeled islets were transplanted through the portal vein into the liver of experimental rats. The animals were scanned using a MR 4.7-T scanner. The labeled pancreatic islets were clearly visualized in the liver in both diabetic and healthy rats as hypointense areas on T2*-weighted MR images during the entire measurement period. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of iron-oxide nanoparticles inside the cells of the pancreatic islets. A significant decrease in blood glucose levels in diabetic rats was observed; normal glycemia was reached 1 week after transplantation. This study, therefore, represents a promising step toward possible clinical application in human medicine.
Jirák
Daniel
D
Department of Radiodiagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic. daji@medicon.cz
Kríz
Jan
J
Herynek
Vít
V
Andersson
Benita
B
Girman
Peter
P
Burian
Martin
M
Saudek
Frantisek
F
Hájek
Milan
M
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000473:pathology*; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D007501:Iron; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010087:Oxides; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew
D001786:Blood Glucose; D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides; D007501:Iron; C065507:ferumoxides; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide