Modified technique of perfusion of isolated rat pancreas tested by insulin release after glucose administration

A method of in vitro perfusion of isolated rat pancreas in a closed circuit is presented. The surgical procedure was slightly modified as compared to the methods published by others the superior mesenteric and coeliac arteries being fixed with tubings for the arterial inflow and the portal vein for the venous outflow. When the attached duodenum is perfused too, it is possible to study both the pancreatic and duodenal excretion. The perfusion of the pancreatic tissue was made with the aid of original equipment. The secretion of insulin into the perfusion fluid after the administration of glucose was measured by radioimmunoassay and a rapid increase of insulin level was found. This observation together with several histological aspects were considered to show the unimpaired viability of tissue.