[Neural regulation of auto-grafted islets of Langerhans].

The possibility of vagal reinnervation to intrasplenic islets grafts was examined by measuring portal insulin response to electric stimulation of the dorsal vagus nerve in autografted dogs. Grafted islets responded appropriately to methacholine given intravenously. However, no insulin secretory response could be observed in grafted dogs after vagal stimulation, which markedly increased portal insulin levels in control dogs. Therefore, intrasplenic grafted islets are not under direct vagal control. At the basal state, normal oscillatory release of insulin was observed in grafted animals, suggesting that the mechanism of rhythmic basal insulin release is intrinsic to the islet of Langerhans with no regulatory input from the vagus or any element of normal pancreatic structure.