Does the purity of intraportal islet isografts affect their endocrine function?

The effect of collagenase digested pancreatic tissue upon the endocrine function of intraportal islet isografts has been studied in rats. The ability of transplanted islets to restore normoglycemia in recipients was not affected by tissue contamination, but the insulin response to glucose challenge 12 weeks after transplantation was negatively correlated with the amylase content of this additional tissue transplant. All animals receiving a single dispersed pancreas died within 24 hr. These findings are discussed in relation to transplantation of the dispersed pancreas in human.