[Functional evaluation of islet cells following pancreatic duct occlusion--a long-term study]

The transduodenal occlusion of the pancreatic duct with Prolamin (Ethibloc) was carried out in an experiment with 38 Göttinger minipigs. Occlusion of the pancreatic duct leads to selective atrophy of the excretory pancreatic parenchyma. Up until now it has not been clear whether the endocrine functional capacity of the gland stays intact in a long-term experiment or whether the islands of Langerhans are also altered by the pancreatic duct occlusion. The following tests were carried out by us to determine the endocrine status: 1. Intravenous glucose tolerance test (i.v. GTT); 2. Glucose assimilation analysis after CONARD (K-value); 3. Insulin analysis during i.v. GTT; 4. Intravenous Tolbutamid test. Twelve months after the occlusion, reduced glucose tolerance and a reduction in insulin secretion were detected in the intravenous glucose tolerance test. Glucose assimilation (K-value) was not changed significantly. Fasting blood sugar and basic insulin level remained unchanged. Only a small blood-sugar decrease was measured after selective B-cell stimulation with Tolbutamid. The fibrosclerosis produced by the occlusion of the pancreatic duct with Prolamin also seemed to attack the cells of the islands and lead to their partial destruction.