Revascularization and function of pancreatic islet isografts in diabetic rats following transplantation

In pancreatic islet transplantation, revascularization is crucial for the graft's survival and function. In this study, the endothelium of isolated islets and revascularization and function of islet isografts in diabetic rat were investigated. Islets were isolated from Lewis rats by collagenase digestion method and were examined using immunohistochemistry (CD31 stain) on days 0, 1, 3, and 7 after isolation. The number of CD31-positive cells in these isolated islets was counted (mean +/- SD %). Isografts (freshly isolated islets: group A, and islets cultured for 7 days: group B) transplanted in the renal subcapsule of streptozotocin-induced diabetic Lewis rats were examined using immunohistochemistry (CD31 stain) on days 3, 5, and 7 after transplantation. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT) were performed on days 3 and 7 after transplantation. The number of CD31-positive cells in the isolated islets on days 0, 1, 3, and 7 after isolation were: 17.3 +/- 4.1%, 8.2 +/- 0.7%, 2.1 +/- 0.8%, and 0.8 +/- 0.5%, respectively (p < 0.05). On day 5 after transplantation, CD31-positive cells were not detected in group A and B grafts, but were detected in both groups in periphery of the islets. On day 7, CD31-positive microvessels were present throughout the entire graft. IVGTT values in groups A and B on days 3 and 7 after transplantation did not show significant differences. In renal subcapsular isografts in diabetic rats, revascularization into islet grafts occurs from the surrounding host tissue 5 days after transplantation, but has no influence on the response to glucose during this period.