Transplantation of islet cells.

In an effort to improve the viability of canine pancreatic islet cell allografts after cryopreservation, Cy A was used for graft pretreatment and as a general immunosuppressant on graft recipients who had previously undergone pancreatectomy. Using this combination in conjunction with cryopreservation, islet cell allografts exhibited good viability and long term function after freezing to minus 196 degrees C. These results might encourage the further use of this technique for transplantation.