[A new method for preparation of islet cells from dogs]

A new method for preparation of viable islet cells from the normal pancreas is introduced. After total pancreatectomy, the pancreatic duct is cannulated and perfused with Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS) containing 0.2% collagenase at 37 degrees C for 30-45 minutes. The gland is then chopped and dissociated by shaking in a water bath. The cell suspension is filtered through steel mesh and washed with cold HBSS by centrifugation. By this method, collagenase is applied preferentially into the acinar tissue and the islet yield is greatly enhanced with decreased acinar contamination. Estimation of insulin and amylase in pancreatic tissue and islet rich cell suspension (graft) indicates a 57% islet recovery and a six-fold enrichment in islet concentration. Graft prepared by this method is autotransplanted into totally pancreatectomised dogs and normoglycemia is achieved in ten of 13 animals.