STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETES-MELLITUS IN PIGS

We induced, as a precondition for a pancreas transplant, insulin-depen dent diabetes mellitus in 67 Yorkshire Landrace pigs by administering streptozotocin. A dosage of 150 mg/kg body weight gave rise to a long- lasting diabetes mellitus that persisted with time (follow-up period: 26 weeks). Consecutive measurements of serum glucose and plasma insuli n, before and up to 30 hours after administering streptozotocin, revea led triphasic behavior: initial hyperglycemia (1st to 3rd hour), prono unced hypoglycemia (12th to 18th hour), then hyperglycemia (22nd hour on). IVGTTs done 1 to 7 days after administering streptozotocin reveal ed a reduction of the K-value (glucose disappearance rate) from 0.3 (d ay 2) to 0.07 (day 4). Immunohistochemical studies revealed a complete loss of all beta-cells, concomitantly with a relative increase in glu cagon- and somatostatin-positive cells. We also observed a complete lo ss of pp (pancreatic polypeptide)-positive cells. Diabetes induced by streptozotocin at 150 mg/kg body weight is complete and permanent; our mortality rate was 0%. Given the high morbidity rate after pancreatec tomy, streptozotocin should be the method of choice for inducing diabe tes mellitus in pigs.