Protocol for isolation and transplantation of rat pancreatic islets in the kidney capsule to treat diabetes

STAR Protoc. 2024 Dec 13;6(1):103486. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103486. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Islet transplantation offers promise for those with type 1 and late-stage type 2 diabetes; however, islet isolation from the pancreas is challenging due to the interference of exocrine tissue. We describe steps for constructing a diabetes model and precise islet isolation by a perfusion-based technique, followed by gradient centrifugation and cultivation in RPMI 1640 for recovery. Transplanted rat islets in diabetic nude mice demonstrated functional recovery, confirming the effectiveness of this approach.

Keywords: biotechnology and bioengineering; cell biology; cell isolation; health sciences; metabolism; model organisms.