Pancreatic islet transplantation: studies on the technique and efficacy of islet isolation and transplantation

Abstract

Pancreatic islet transplantation by a new method is introduced here : the isolation of islets in an organ preservation solution, the University of Wisconsin solution. A new concept allowing for the first time large-scale isolation and transplantation of consistently near 100% pure islets of Langerhans in a preclinical dog model with fasting normoglycemia up to 3 years posttransplant. Detailed metabolic studies demonstrated normal insulin levels after meals with preservation of gut hormone action stimulating insulin secretion at the mild hyperglycemia after meals. The introduction of the University of Wisconsin solution organ preservation solution for islet isolation at the start of these studies in 1989 is a new concept … and has been shown by now in 2022 , world-wide , to make the future of islet isolation and transplantation methods for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).