Islet Cell Mass and the Longevity of Islet Grafts in Diabetic Rats

In an attempt to demonstrate that a limited beta-cell mass is able to maintain normoglycemia in streptozocin-diabetic rats, two groups of inbred rats received transplants of 500 or 1000 neonatal islets (corresponding to 10 and 20% of total islet cell mass, respectively) into the spleen. A close correlation was found between the functional longevity of the islet graft, and the total beta-cell mass transplanted into the diabetic animals. Although euglycemia was maintained for 4-12 mo, the islet transplants were insufficient to produce glucose tolerance tests equal to those observed in normal rats. Relapse of diabetes correlated with histological findings of distorted islet architecture containing vacuolated beta-cells in the grafts. This condition was not reversed after a month of normoglycemia. Spontaneous recovery of beta-cell function in native islets was documented in 50% of the diabetic rats with prolonged normoglycemia following islet transplantation. This report shows that transplantation of as few as 500 neonatal islets, the equivalent of 10% of total islet cell mass, is sufficient to maintain normoglycemia in diabetic rats, albeit temporarily. A close correlation was found between the transplanted islet cell mass and the functional longevity of the islet graft.