Cold storage of the pancreas with a view to preservation of islet cell function following transplantation.

Three solutions, hyperosmolar citrate, modified Collins' C2, and Sacks' II solutions were compared as media for cold storage preservation (arterial infusion and subsequent cold storage in the same medium at 0-4 C) of the rat pancreas with a view to preservation of endocrine function. Pancreatic isotransplantation was performed following cold ischemic intervals of 0, 24, 30, and 36 hr, into streptozotocin-induced diabetic recipients. Results were assessed by normoglycemic survival and insulin response, together with K values following i.v. glucose tolerance tests at 3 months postoperatively; 24-hr preservation was achieved with equal success using modified Collins' C2 solution or hyperosmolar citrate-but not with Sacks' II solution. Preservation for 30 hr was consistently successful using modified Collins C2 solution only, but the period could not be extended with success to 36 hr. Hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia occurred 24 hr postoperatively in the majority of animals receiving grafts stored in Sacks' II solution, but to a much lesser extent using modified Collins' C2 and hyperosmolar citrate. This was also temporarily seen in grafts stored for 36 hr in modified Collins C2 solution. At 3 months postoperatively after 30 hr cold ischemia, i.v. glucose tolerance tests showed the hyperosmolar citrate cold-stored grafts had lower K values and significantly reduced insulin responses compared with grafts stored in modified Collins' C2 solution. The modified Collins' C2 solution proved to be the most effective of the three solutions tested.