Survival and metabolic function of syngeneic rat islet grafts transplanted in the omental pouch

Many sites have been tested in an effort to identify the most ideal site to support islet function and viability. The aim of this study was to evaluate an omental pouch site for islet transplantation and compare it with the renal subcapsular space. All streptozotocine-induced diabetic rats receiving 2000 syngeneic islets in the omental pouch (n = 13) or under the kidney capsule (n = 10) returned to normoglycemia. At 7 days post-transplant and throughout the follow-up period, the mean blood glucose value in both groups was <9.0 mM. At 4 and 8 weeks post-transplant, both groups displayed normal and similar glucose tolerance curves. Gain in the recipient's body weight after transplantation was similar between the two groups. At the end of follow up prompt hyperglycemia was observed in all rats after removal of the islet graft. No significant differences were found in the insulin contents of the harvested grafts, irrespective of the transplantation site. Histological examination of the grafts showed numerous well-granulated insulin-containing cells in both sites. The results indicate that the omental pouch is a viable site which offers a safe, convenient and efficacious alternative to the renal subcapsular space to transplant islets in rodents.