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Isolation of Human Islets from Partially Pancreatectomized Patients
Published on: July 30, 2011
Improved method of human islet isolation for young donors
M Shimoda1, H Noguchi, B Naziruddin
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Transplantation Proceedings
|August 10, 2010
Summary
A modified collagenase concentration improves islet isolation from young donors, enhancing islet yield. This technique simplifies the process and increases the recovery rate for transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation immunology
- Endocrinology
- Surgical innovation
Background:
- Islet transplantation is more effective with young donors, but isolating islets from them is challenging.
- This difficulty may stem from developmental factors and collagen composition in young pancreata.
- Investigating collagenase concentration is crucial for improving islet yield from young donors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if a higher collagenase concentration can enhance islet separation from exocrine tissues.
- To improve islet yield from young donor pancreata for transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Human pancreata from donors under 30 years old were used.
- Islet isolation followed the Edmonton protocol with modifications, using Collagenase NB1 Premium Grade.
- Pancreata were injected with either standard (2.5 mg/mL) or concentrated (5 mg/mL) collagenase solution.
Main Results:
- The concentrated collagenase group showed significantly shorter Phase II digestion time.
- A lower ratio of embedded islets was observed in the concentrated group.
- While not statistically significant, the concentrated group had higher islet equivalents per gram and recovery rates.
Conclusions:
- A simple modification using concentrated collagenase improved the embedded islet ratio.
- This method significantly enhanced islet yield from young donors.
- The improved yield supports the potential of this technique for islet transplantation.

