Results of transplantation of kidneys from diabetic donors

Diabetic donors are still reluctantly accepted as potential organ donors because of supposed poor graft function caused by diabetic lesions. The results of transplantation of six kidneys from three donors with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus are reported. All three donors had a normal creatinine clearance and absence of proteinuria. Renal biopsies were taken. Five grafts are still functioning, six months to two years after transplantation with a mean creatinine clearance of 69ml/min (range 51-95). Three of five biopsies taken six months after transplantation showed marked decrease of the diabetic lesions. On the basis of these findings it seems justified to accept kidneys from diabetic donors for transplantation.