[Isolation, purification and functional identification of Syrian golden hamster islets].
OBJECTIVE
To establish the methods for isolation, purification and function identification of Syrian golden hamster islets.


METHODS
The Langerhans islets were isolated and purified from golden hamster pancreas by intra-ductal collagenase V perfusion and discontinuous Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. After isolation, the islet yield and purity were evaluated with DTZ staining. The islet function was assessed using glucose-stimulated insulin secretion test.


RESULTS
The total number of purified islets from one donor hamster was 359-/+35 islet equivalent (IEQ), with the purity and viability of the isolated islets of more than 90%. In response to glucose stimulations at 5.8 and 16.7 mmol/L, the secretion of insulin by the islets was 3.29-/+0.3 and 11.12-/+0.57 mU/L, respectively, showing a 2.28-fold higher insulin release by high-concentration than by low- concentration glucose stimulation (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The methods of collagenase V digestion and gradient centrifugation result in high yield and high purity of the isolated hamster islets.
Department of Endocrinology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. lizyhenu@163.com
Kan
K
Sun
Jia
J
Sun
Hong
H
Chen
Hua
H
Zhang
De-hong
DH
Cai
D000818:Animals; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D006224:Cricetinae; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus
D007328:Insulin