EFFECT OF PANCREATIC-ISLETS ON SPLENIC HEPATOCELLULAR TRANSPLANTATION

Purpose of the study: to determine whether Langerhans' islets exert a beneficial effect on splenic hepatocellular transplantation. Hypothesi s: the addition of pancreatic islets to hepatocytes would improve thei r normal function through the support of insulin and glucagon in the s ame proportions as they usually receive in the hepatic environment. Ex perimental design: potential improvement in the hepatocellular functio n to be evaluated by means of regenerative activity recorded after app lying a specific stimulus (partial hepatectomy and/or cyclosporine A). Methods: an immunohistochemical technique (antiinsulin antibodies) wa s used to confirm the presence of active islets of Langerhans in the s pleen. Microcytophotometry was used to quantify hepatocyte regeneratio n. Results: although demonstrating the presence of active (insulin-pos itive) islets together with hepatocytes in the spleen teas feasible, t he expected positive influence on the regenerative activity of hepatoc ytes was impossible to prove. Conclusions: further study is needed to reach definitive conclusions about the real usefulness of pancreatic i slets in hepatocyte transplantation.