Pancreatic Islet Transplantation: Effects on the Glomerular Lesions of Experimental Diabetes in the Rat

Abstract

Diabetes was induced in Lewis rats with streptozotocin. Six to nine months later glomeruli showed significant mesangial matrix thickening; by immunofluorescent microscopy large quantities of IgG, (β1C and in some instances, IgM were seen in a mesangial distribution. Sustained normoglycemia was then achieved in nine of these animals by successful pancreatic islet isotransplantation. Three months following transplantation five of these animals had decreased mesangial matrix while four had no further progression of glomerular lesions. All had a marked decrease in IgG, IgM and β iC in the mesangium. In contrast, untreated diabetic rats, over the same time period, demonstrated progressive mesangial thickening and focal tuft sclerosis. Immunoglobulins and complement were in the mesangium in quantities equal to or greater than seen in earlier biopsies. Thus, successful pancreatic islet transplantation in the rat results in regression or arrest of the diabetic glomerular lesion.