Islet Cell Function of the Transplanted Canine Pancreas

Abstract

Total pancreatectomy in dogs resulted in a state of persisting hyperglycemia. Subcutaneous implantation of homologous pancreas into animals previously subjected to total pancreatectomy did not result in lowering of blood sugar levels unless the blood supply was reconstituted. In animals made hyperglycemic by total pancreatectomy, implantation of homologous pancreas with reconstruction of the arterial supply and venous drainage resulted in lowering of blood sugar levels to normal values in approximately 40 per cent of animals. When donor animals were subjected to ligation of the pancreatic duct six weeks prior to transplantation and such duct-ligated pancreases were transplanted into animals made hyperglycemic by total pancreatectomy, normal blood sugar levels were observed in 80 per cent of animals. Maximal survival period of islet cell function, as estimated by normal blood sugar levels in previously hyperglycemic animals, was approximately two weeks.