Secretion of insulin by the canine pancreas perfused ex vivo with fluorocarbon emulsion

Canine gastroduodenopancreatic blocks were isolated and perfused ex vivo with oxygenated bloodless fluorocarbon emulsion. Pancreatic and gastric secretions were collected. Exocrine pancreatic secretion was stimulated with secretin infused intra-arterially. This study was undertaken to find out whether or not the pancreas, perfused with fluorocarbon emulsion, preserves its endocrine function. Immunoreactive insulin was determined in the perfusate samples obtained from a venous site in the perfusion circuit. Glucose concentration was also measured in the same samples. Insulin appeared in all experiments within the first ten minutes of persuion of the preparation with fluorocarbon. Insulin was present in all samples collected during 5.5 hours of perfusion. Results of this study suggest that endocrine function of the pancreas was preserved under the conditions of extracorporeal perfusion used.