A comparison between insulin and glucagon release from orthotopically-placed islets of Langerhans and after their transplantation into the liver of diabetic rats.

The ability of islets of Langerhans to release insulin (IRI) and glucagon (IRG) after stimulation with glucose and arginine was analyzed by using isolated perfused pancreas of Lewis-rats and by using perfused liver three months after syngenic portal islet transplantation. Transplanted islets preserve their functional integrity so that the shape and magnitude of IRI and IRG release, respectively, can be compared with normal islet reactivity. They are able to release insulin after stimulation with 16 mM glucose having a typical biphasic secretion profile. The islet and B-cell volume, as well as the insulin and glucagon content of the recipient pancreas, are decreased significantly three months after islet transplantation when compared with healthy controls.