title: Human islet cell isolation: the initial step in an islet transplanting program in Shiraz, Southern Iran.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an emerging epidemic worldwide and results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing β cells. Islet transplanting is a potential treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Shiraz Organ Transplant Center is a leading center for organ transplants, especially pancreatic transplants, in Iran. For this reason, we want to establish an islet transplanting program. Here, we briefly describe our experience with islet isolation on 6 pancreata from deceased donors. We discussed the necessary equipment required for this procedure, as well as the professionals needed and a specially planned facility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Islet yield was ≤ 100 000 (islet equivalent), viability 40% to 45%, and the purity was 30% to 45%. We do not have a refrigerated COBE processor for purification; therefore, the yield was low. Our experience shows that we should improve things, so as to acquire more islets for developing clinical grade cell therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, isolation costs are high, and accessing a safer, more economic, and persistent source of material and reagents will improve this technique.
authors.affiliation: Shiraz Transplant Research Center, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Negar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Azarpira
authors.forename: Mahdokht H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Aghdai
authors.forename: Saman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nikeghbalian
authors.forename: Bita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Geramizadeh
authors.forename: Masumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Darai
authors.forename: Elaheh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Esfandiari
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bahador
authors.forename: Koorosh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kazemi
authors.forename: Ismail H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Al-Abdullah
authors.forename: Seid Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Malek-Hosseini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D002470:Cell Survival; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology*; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016730:Program Development; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000600:supply & distribution