Transplantation of isologous islets of Langerhans in diabetic rats. Long-term immunohistochemical results.

Isologous isolated islets of Langerhans were transplanted into the peritoneum and through the portal vein into the liver of diabetic rats. This resulted in the normalization of fasting blood glucose levels, with clear improvement of glucose tolerance tests. The results after intrahepatic implantation were better than after intraperitoneal implantation. Three months after implantation of islets into the peritoneum diabetes recurred and after one year only 2 of the 15 rats were alive, with high blood glucoe levels. In the group with intrahepatic islets the normalization of blood glucose was maintained over a period of one year. Immunohistochemical insulin proofs were positive in the peritoneum over a period of 3 months and in the liver up to one year after implantation. Glucagon proofs were positive in the intraperitoneal islets for 6 weeks and in intrahepatic ones for one year. Morphological examination of transplanted islets suggested that the liver is better suited for islet transplantation than the peritoneum.