title: Improvement of canine islet yield by donor pancreas infusion with a p38MAPK inhibitor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) is implicated in cold ischemia-reperfusion injury of donor organs. The islet isolation process, from pancreas procurement through islet collection, may activate p38MAPK leading to cytokine release and islet damage. This damage may be prevented by treating pancreata with a p38MAPK inhibitor (p38IH) before cold preservation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pancreata removed from Beagle dogs were infused with University of Wisconsin solution containing the p38IH, SB203580, and Pefabloc (n=6) or vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide and Pefabloc) alone (n=7), through the pancreatic duct and preserved using the two-layer method. After 20 to 22 hr, islets were isolated and 3000 IEQ/kg were autotransplanted into the corresponding dog to monitor glucose metabolism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  p38IH-treated pancreata yielded significantly more islets than control pancreata (IEQ/g: 2134+/-297 vs. 1477+/-145 IEQ/g or 65,012+/-9385 vs. 45,700+/-5103 IEQ/pancreas; P<0.05). Apoptotic beta-cell percentages assessed by laser scanning cytometry were lower in p38IH-treated than the controls (44%+/-9.4% vs. 61.6%+/-4.8%, P<0.05). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression assessed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was significantly lower in the p38IH-treated group than controls. All dogs (3000 IEQ/kg) transplanted with p38IH-treated islets (n=5) became euglycemic versus four of five dogs that received untreated islets. Plasma C-peptide levels after glucagon challenge were higher in animals receiving p38IH-treated islets (n=5) versus untreated islets (n=4) (0.40+/-0.78 vs. 0.21+/-0.05 ng/mL, P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infusion of pancreata with University of Wisconsin solution containing p38IH through the duct before preservation suppresses cytokine release, prevents beta-cell apoptosis, and improves islet yield significantly with no adverse effect on islet function after transplantation. p38IH treatment of human pancreata may improve islet yield for use in clinical transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Southern California Islet Cell Resources Center, Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
authors.forename: Taihei
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Omori
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rawson
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Todorov
authors.forename: Sadaki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asari
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuroda
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shintaku
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Itakura
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ferreri
authors.forename: Fouad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kandeel
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mullen
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000493:Allopurinol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004285:Dogs; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000473:pathology; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000473:pathology*; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009926:Organ Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011887:Raffinose / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015427:Reperfusion Injury; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007328:Insulin; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; C055206:University of Wisconsin-lactobionate solution; D000493:Allopurinol; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D005978:Glutathione; D000241:Adenosine; D011887:Raffinose