Isolation and perfusion of the porcine pancreas

The isolation of a porcine pancreas preparation without the attached duodenum is described. The preparation is suitable for study of the secretion of insulin and pancreatic glucagon. The surgical procedure by which the pancreas is removed from tha animal is decribed as well as the perfusion system. The effect of various concentrations of glucose (63, 90, 135 and 180 mg per 100 ml) in the perfusion medium on the secretion of insulin and pancreatic glucagon was investigated in order to observe the performance characteristics of this preparation. Increasing concentrations of glucose caused a significantly greater insulin release, whereas the glucagon response was significantly reduced.