Correlation between angiogenesis and islet graft function in diabetic mice: magnetic resonance imaging assessment.
OBJECTIVE
Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) was used to evaluate neovascularization after intravenous injection of gadolinium, where contrast leaks out of new vessels and remains within the tissues. We examined the relationship between DCE-MRI and metabolic parameters such as blood glucose, serum insulin and glucose tolerance test (GTT) after intraportal islet transplantation.


METHODS
Streptozotocin-induced diabetic BALB/c mice (n = 15) received syngeneic intraportal islet transplantation (500 islet equivalent). Blood glucose, serum insulin and GTT were evaluated till postoperative day (POD) 14. Liver DCE-MRI was performed at POD 3, 7 and 14. Correlations between DCE-MRI and metabolic parameters were examined using regression analysis.


RESULTS
Eight mice achieved normoglycemia after intraportal transplantation. At POD 3 a significant but moderate correlation between DCE-MRI and blood glucose was found. No DCE-MRI or metabolic parameters correlated at POD 7. However, at POD 14 strong or moderate correlations between DCE-MRIs were found: negative correlations with blood glucose (R (2) = 0.86) and GTT (R (2) = 0.48) but a positive correlation with serum insulin (R (2) = 0.32).


CONCLUSIONS
We report that DCE-MRI can reflect the metabolic and functional condition of the transplanted islets.
Sakata
Naoaki
N
Islet Transplant Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Diabetes Center, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 11175 Campus Street, Coleman Pavilion, A1120R, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA.
Obenaus
Andre
A
Chan
Nathaniel K
NK
Hayes
Pete
P
Chrisler
John
J
Hathout
Eba
E
D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000098:blood supply*; D016035:Pancreas Transplantation / Q000473:pathology*; D020127:Recovery of Function