[Results of islet transplantation in diabetic dogs]

The influence of histocompatibility on islet transplantation in dogs was studied. Donors and hosts were chosen by help of the macrophage-electrophoresis-mobility test. By subtotal pancreatectomy and twice applying streptocotocin diabetes was successfully induced in recipient animals. Isolation of pancreating islets from the donor was done by means of the collagenase method combined with the Ficoll-gradient-separating technique. The grafting occurred via portal vein into the liver. Significant decrease of blood sugar during 10 weeks was observed in animals with good compatibility. This effect lasted only 14 days in cases of bad compatibility. Concentrations of insulin in the portal vein and superior caval vein 4 weeks after grafting was lower in cases with high-grade histoincompatibility. The duration of functioning of transplanted islets depends on the histocompatibility.