IN VIVO EFFECT OF FK506 ON HUMAN PANCREATIC ISLETS

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vivo effect of FK506 on human pancreatic islets. Twenty-five nude mice were made diabetic by one intravenous injection of streptozotocin. Approximately 600 islets were administered in the renal subcapsular space 3–5 days following streptozotocin administration. One week after transplantation, the mice were divided in four groups. In group 1, the animals received 1 injection of 0.5 ml of diluent i.p. daily for one week. In groups 2, 3, and 4 the treatments were daily i.p. injection of 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg FK506, respectively. After treatment, the functional integrity of the transplanted human islets was tested by measuring the plasma glucose and human C-peptide response to intraperitoneal glucose injection in groups 1 and 4. IPGTT alone was assessed in groups 2 and 3. The results indicate that i.p. administration of 33FK506 for one week at a dose 0.3 mg/kg/day did not result in any significant alteration of glucose disappearance and C-peptide response to IPGTT. Higher doses of FK506 produced a significant delay in glucose disappearance in groups 3 and 4, and a significant inhibition of glucose-mediated C-peptide response in group 4. © Williams & Wilkins 1991. All Rights Reserved.