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Effect of pancreatic islets on splenic hepatocellular transplantation
J L Conty1, I García-Alonso, V Portugal
1Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, University of The Basque Country.
Purpose Of The Study:
To determine whether Langerhans' islets exert a beneficial effect on splenic hepatocellular transplantation.
Hypothesis:
the addition of pancreatic islets to hepatocytes would improve their normal function through the support of insulin and glucagon in the same proportions as they usually receive in the hepatic environment.
Experimental Design:
Potential improvement in the hepatocellular function to be evaluated by means of regenerative activity recorded after applying a specific stimulus (partial hepatectomy and/or cyclosporine A).
Methods:
An immunohistochemical technique (antinuslin antibodies) was used to confirm the presence of active islets of Langerhans in the spleen. Microcytophotometry was used to quantify hepatocyte regeneration.
Results:
Although demonstrating the presence of active (insulin-positive) islets together with hepatocytes in the spleen was feasible, the expected positive influence on the regenerative activity of hepatocytes was impossible to prove.
Conclusions:
Further study is needed to reach definitive conclusions about the real usefulness of pancreatic islets in hepatocyte transplantation.