Long-term endocrine function of duct-ligated pancreas isotransplants in rats

Duct-ligated pancreas transplants were used to study the long-term B cell function after total acinar atrophy. Vascularized whole-organ pancreas transplantation was performed in 47 streptozotocin-diabetic inbred Wistar rats. Of 31 recipients which survived the first week, 30 were permanently cured of the diabetic state with restoration of normal blood glucose levels within 24 h. Metabolic and morphologic studies were performed for up to 16 months after transplantation, i.e. for most of the normal life span of the rats. The recipients of duct-ligated, heterotopic transplants demonstrated plasma insulin (IRI) values slightly above normal. Median blood glucose values were significantly lower than in the normal controls. Basal and stimulated IRI as well as glucose tolerance tests failed to reveal any reduction in the endocrine capacity of the transplants as compared to nondiabetic control. Light-microscopic examinations of grafts showed total acinar atrophy after the first weeks of duct occlusion. No apparent reduction of islet tissue was noted. The results demonstrate that total occlusion of the exocrine ductal system does not impair B cell function of the rat pancreas. The duct-ligated pancreatic transplant permanently reverses induced diabetes when pancreatitis and immunologic reactions are avoided.