Transplantation of free beta islet cells as a method leading to normalization of glucose tolerance in rats with experimental diabetes

: The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of free beta cells transplantation on carbohydrate tolerance in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Free beta cells were isolated by mechanical disruption of isolated pancreatic islets in Ca and Mg free medium. 1500 and 3000 isolated islets were used for the isolation of 500 x 10(3)-1.099 x 10(3) and 1.398 x 10(3)-2.098 x 10(3) free cells, respectively. Between 78% and 98% of all isolated cells were the variable cells. After isogenic transplantation of free beta cells, blood glucose concentration in all animals was normalized within 14 days. The rate of glycemia normalization was related to the amount of viable free cells. The glucose assimilation coefficient after intravenous glucose administration in normal rats, diabetic rats and diabetic rats after transplantation of free cells was: 2.98 x 10(-2); 0.68 x 10(-2) and 2.04 x 10(-2) mg/dl/min, respectively. Allogenic transplantation of free beta cells caused only a transient decrease in blood glucose level.