PORCINE ISLETS FOR XENOTRANSPLANTATION

Long-term function of isolated porcine islets was investigated in diab etic nude mice. Seven of eight mice that received transplants of porci ne islets remained normoglycemic for 1 year with progressive weight ga in. Circulating porcine C-peptide was detected throughout the study pe riod. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests showed a rapid glucose clear ance rate. Together with our recent finding that porcine islets contai ned within an immunoexclusion device achieved glycemic control in a to tally pancreatectomized dog, these results clearly demonstrate that is olated porcine islets are capable of functioning for prolonged periods in xenogeneic hosts and are suitable for long-term use in an immunoex clusion device in a discordant host.