THE IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO EFFECT OF 15-DEOXYSPERGUALIN ON PANCREATIC-ISLET FUNCTION

15-deoxyspergualin (DSG) is a novel immunosuppressive agent that has b een shown to prolong the function of islet allografts in both small an d large animal models. The purpose of this study was to investigate th e effect of DSG on in vitro glucose-induced insulin secretion by isola ted islets and on glucose disposal in vivo. Incubation of human or rat islets for 24 hr in the presence of DSG (1, 2, 5 or 10 mug/ml) did no t effect their secretory capacity. In addition, glucose disposal and i nsulin secretion by normal rats was unaffected by the daily administra tion of DSG (1, 4, or 10 mg/kg) for 1 week. In contrast to cyclosporin e, prednisone, and FK506, DSG does not appear to be associated with al tered beta cell function or disordered glucose disposal and is an attr active alternative with potential usefulness in clinical islet allotra nsplantation.