Multiple transplantation of islets of Langerhans.

In 6 diabetic rats about 1,000 isolated islets of Langerhans were transplanted into the liver with little effect on the uninsulinism and hyperglycemia. Subsequently, a second transplantation resulted in a decrease of blood sugar to normal and in a reversal of the loss in body weight. Finally, in animals who had reversed to diabetes again, a third islet transplantation was performed. These rats with a total of 3,100 islets showed a decrease in the glucose levels from 250-305 to 110 +/- 27 (X +/- SEM) mg/100 ml. The insulin level after glucose stimulations was measured at 27 less than X less than 35 micromicron/ml.