Phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) attenuated hepatic ischemia/reperfusion-induced pancreatic islet injury and enlarged islet functionality.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion-induced pancreatic islet injury (HI/RIPII) was an important pathophysiological phenomenon in clinics. In the present study, we observed the effects of phycocyanin on HI/RIPII. However, the half-life of phycocyanin was extremely short and limited its use in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to overcome this shortcoming, poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(l-glutamic acid)-g-polyethylenimine) (PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI)) was synthesized and estimated as a nanocarrier for lengthening delivery of phycocyanin through the abdominal subcutaneous injection in rats. Phycocyanin (isoelectric point=4.3) was encapsulated with PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) via electrostatic interactions at pH 7.4. RESULTS: In vitro phycocyanin was fast and efficiently encapsulated and showing efficient loading and sustained release. In vivo the anti-HI/RIPII function of phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) complex was surveyed in rats using free phycocyanin as the controls, and the results showed that phycocyanin/PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) complex reduced HI/RIPII property and enlarged islet functionality. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that PEG-b-(PG-g-PEI) might be treated as a potential phycocyanin nanocarrier.

Protective effect of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside on neonatal porcine islets.

Oxidative stress is a major cause of islet injury and dysfunction during isolation and transplantation procedures. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), which is present in various fruits and vegetables especially in Chinese bayberry, shows a potent antioxidant property. In this study, we determined whether C3G could protect neonatal porcine islets (NPI) from reactive oxygen species (H2O2)-induced injury in vitro and promote the function of NPI in diabetic mice. We found that C3G had no deleterious effect on NPI and that C3G protected NPI from damage induced by H2O2 Significantly higher hemeoxygenase-1 (HO1) gene expression was detected in C3G-treated NPI compared to untreated islets before and after transplantation (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed a significant increase in the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K/Akt) proteins in C3G-treated NPI compared to untreated islets. C3G induced the nuclear translocation of nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and the significant elevation of HO1 protein. Recipients of C3G-treated NPI with or without C3G-supplemented drinking water achieved normoglycemia earlier compared to recipients of untreated islets. Mice that received C3G-treated islets with or without C3G-supplemented water displayed significantly lower blood glucose levels at 5-10 weeks post-transplantation compared to mice that received untreated islets. Mice that received C3G-treated NPI and C3G-supplemented drinking water had significantly (P < 0.05) lower blood glucose levels at 7 and 8 weeks post-transplantation compared to mice that received C3G-treated islets. These findings suggest that C3G has a beneficial effect on NPI through the activation of ERK1/2- and PI3K/AKT-induced NRF2-mediated HO1 signaling pathway.

Involvement of a proapoptotic gene (BBC3) in islet injury mediated by cold preservation and rewarming.

Long-term pancreatic cold ischemia contributes to decreased islet number and viability after isolation and culture, leading to poor islet transplantation outcome in patients with type 1 diabetes. In this study, we examined mechanisms of pancreatic cold preservation and rewarming-induced injury by interrogating the proapoptotic gene BBC3/Bbc3, also known as Puma (p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis), using three experimental models: 1) bioluminescence imaging of isolated luciferase-transgenic ("Firefly") Lewis rat islets, 2) cold preservation of en bloc-harvested pancreata from Bbc3-knockout (KO) mice, and 3) cold preservation and rewarming of human pancreata and isolated islets. Cold preservation-mediated islet injury occurred during rewarming in "Firefly" islets. Silencing Bbc3 by transfecting Bbc3 siRNA into islets in vitro prior to cold preservation improved postpreservation mitochondrial viability. Cold preservation resulted in decreased postisolation islet yield in both wild-type and Bbc3 KO pancreata. However, after culture, the islet viability was significantly higher in Bbc3-KO islets, suggesting that different mechanisms are involved in islet damage/loss during isolation and culture. Furthermore, Bbc3-KO islets from cold-preserved pancreata showed reduced HMGB1 (high-mobility group box 1 protein) expression and decreased levels of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) protein adducts, which was indicative of reduced oxidative stress. During human islet isolation, BBC3 protein was upregulated in digested tissue from cold-preserved pancreata. Hypoxia in cold preservation increased BBC3 mRNA and protein in isolated human islets after rewarming in culture and reduced islet viability. These results demonstrated the involvement of BBC3/Bbc3 in cold preservation/rewarming-mediated islet injury, possibly through modulating HMGB1- and oxidative stress-mediated injury to islets.

Antiaging Glycopeptide Protects Human Islets Against Tacrolimus-Related Injury and Facilitates Engraftment in Mice.

Clinical islet transplantation has become an established treatment modality for selected patients with type 1 diabetes. However, a large proportion of transplanted islets is lost through multiple factors, including immunosuppressant-related toxicity, often requiring more than one donor to achieve insulin independence. On the basis of the cytoprotective capabilities of antifreeze proteins (AFPs), we hypothesized that supplementation of islets with synthetic AFP analog antiaging glycopeptide (AAGP) would enhance posttransplant engraftment and function and protect against tacrolimus (Tac) toxicity. In vitro and in vivo islet Tac exposure elicited significant but reversible reduction in insulin secretion in both mouse and human islets. Supplementation with AAGP resulted in improvement of islet survival (Tac(+) vs. Tac+AAGP, 31.5% vs. 67.6%, P < 0.01) coupled with better insulin secretion (area under the curve: Tac(+) vs. Tac+AAGP, 7.3 vs. 129.2 mmol/L/60 min, P < 0.001). The addition of AAGP reduced oxidative stress, enhanced insulin exocytosis, improved apoptosis, and improved engraftment in mice by decreasing expression of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, keratinocyte chemokine, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Finally, transplant efficacy was superior in the Tac+AAGP group and was similar to islets not exposed to Tac, despite receiving continuous treatment for a limited time. Thus, supplementation with AAGP during culture improves islet potency and attenuates long-term Tac-induced graft dysfunction.

Synergistic Potentials of Coffee on Injured Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Action via KATP Channel Blocking in Zebrafish.

Pancreatic islets (PIs) are damaged under diabetic conditions, resulting in decreased PI size. This study examined the regenerative effects of coffee and its components (caffeine, CFI; trigonelline, TRG; chlorogenic acid, CGA) on zebrafish larval PIs and ß-cells damaged by administration of alloxan (AX). In addition, the influence of coffee and its active components on KATP channels was investigated using diazoxide (DZ) as a KATP channel activator. PI size and fluorescence intensity were significantly increased in the coffee-treated group relative to the no-treatment group (P < 0.0001). In addition, coffee exerted significant regenerative effects on pancreatic ß-cells (p = 0.006). Treatment with TRG and CGA rescued PI damage, and the combination of TRG/CGA had a synergistic effect. In conclusion, the results indicate that coffee has beneficial effects on AX-damaged PIs and may also be useful as a blocker of pancreatic ß-cell K(+) channels.

Characterization of pumpkin polysaccharides and protective effects on streptozotocin-damaged islet cells.

The polysaccharides from pumpkin fruit (PP) were obtained and purified by hot-water extraction, anion-exchange chromatography, and gel column chromatography. The physicochemical properties of PP were determined by gel filtration chromatography, gas chromatography, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Results indicated that the molecular weight of PP was about 23 kDa and PP was composed of D-Arabinose, D-Mannose, D-Glucose, and D-Galactose with a molar ratio of 1 : 7.79 : 70.32 : 7.05. FTIR and NMR spectra indicated that PP was the polysaccharide containing pyranose ring. Additionally, PP protected islets cells from streptozotocin (STZ) injury in vitro via increasing the levels of super-oxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and reducing the production of NO. The experiment of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction further proved that PP inhibited apoptosis via modulating the expression of Bax/Bcl-2 in STZ-damaged islet cells. In conclusion, PP could be explored as a novel agent for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Islet-derived stem cells from adult rats participate in the repair of islet damage.

This study investigated the role of adult islet-derived stem cells in repairing islet damage. Using intraperitoneal injection of cerulein, a rat model of acute pancreatitis was induced in an experimental group. The expression of the protein c-kit, a pancreatic stem cell marker, was observed using immunohistochemistry at set intervals following successful model preparation. Pathological changes in pancreatic tissues were also observed using routine hematoxylin and eosin staining. Cells with positive c-kit staining were rarely observed in normal tissues. At all observation intervals after the induction of acute pancreatitis, c-kit staining was restricted to the islets. Over the course of observations, staining changed from low to high intensity, and then back to low intensity again. The primary pathological manifestation in the experimental group was edematous pancreatic tissues with local necrotic lesions. These findings suggested that c-kit positive cells are likely to be a type of pancreatic progenitor cell that is involved only in the self-repair of islet damage and does not migrate.

The effect of low-dose Continuous Erythropoietin receptor activator in an experimental model of acute Cyclosporine A induced renal injury.

The use of Cyclosporine A (CsA) as rejection prophylaxis following organ transplantation is limited by its nephrotoxicity. CsA induces renal damage that is associated with tubulo-interstitial injury and parenchymal sequestration of macrophages, perpetuating pro-inflammatory processes. Furthermore, CsA exerts a diabetogenic effect by damaging pancreatic islet cell integrity. Continuous Erythropoietin Receptor Activator (CERA) was shown to mediate tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory effects in various settings of organ injury. Here, we investigated the effect of low dose CERA in a model of CsA-induced renal and pancreatic injury. Rats were exposed to medium-dose CsA for 28 days. Low-dose CERA was given to the treatment group (CERA) (n=6) once per week vs. a CsA-treated control group (CONTROL) (n=6). The effect of CERA on renal and pancreatic injuries was analyzed by organ function, histology, immunohistochemistry (CD68(+)-macrophages, insulin), ELISA (TGF-ß1) and RT-PCR (TGF-ß1, Osteopontin, IL-10). CsA induced functional kidney damage. Low dose CERA did not lead to improved kidney function in the treatment group. However, low dose CERA showed a trend toward upregulation of osteopontin accompanied by increased renal macrophage-infiltration and enhanced parenchymal TGF-ß1 and IL-10 when compared to controls. Moreover, CERA treated animals showed amelioration of pancreatic islet cell injury. In this model of acute CsA-mediated renal injury, low dose CERA administration was associated with anti-inflammatory effects and preservation of pancreatic islet cell viability.

Soluble donor DNA and islet injury after transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: A large proportion of clinical islet transplant recipients fail to initially achieve or sustain meaningful independence from exogenous insulin use. We hypothesized that immediate allograft injury is a key constraint on independence from exogenous insulin use. METHODS: Standard human leukocyte antigen genotyping was reviewed to identify nonshared polymorphisms between 21 prospectively recruited islet transplant recipients from a single institution and their respective donors. Human leukocyte antigen polymorphism-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify donor DNA shed into blood by injured islets from serial sera acquired over the first 10 days postprocedure and examined for correlation with achievement of insulin independence. RESULTS: Nearly fourfold higher serum concentrations of donor DNA were detected in subjects whose grafts failed to generate insulin independence. The median for the average area under the curve in recipients who did and did not achieve insulin independence was 12 (range, 1-61) and 45 (range, 14-255) donor genome equivalents (gEq)-day/mL (p=0.03), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These findings represent the first direct testing of allograft injury in humans undergoing islet cell transplantation. Injury to donor islets very soon after transplantation may represent an important barrier to achieving insulin independence other than adaptive immune responses targeting allografts at later times. In addition, soluble donor DNA merits further development as a quantifiable biomarker to evaluate new interventions aimed at mitigating immediate islet injury.

Bilirubin protects grafts against nonspecific inflammation-induced injury in syngeneic intraportal islet transplantation.

Nonspecific inflammatory response is the major cause for failure of islet grafts at the early phase of intraportal islet transplantation (IPIT). Bilirubin, a natural product of heme catabolism, has displayed anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. The present study has demonstrated that bilirubin protected islet grafts by inhibiting nonspecific inflammatory response in a syngeneic rat model of IPIT. The inflammation-induced cell injury was mimicked by exposing cultured rat insulinoma INS-1 cells to cytokines (IL-1ß, TNF-α and IFN-γ) in in vitro assays. At appropriate lower concentrations, bilirubin significantly attenuated the reduced cell viability and enhanced cell apoptosis induced by cytokines, and protected the insulin secretory function of INS-1 cells. Diabetic inbred male Lewis rats induced by streptozotocin underwent IPIT at different islet equivalents (IEQs) (optimal dose of 1000, and suboptimal doses of 750 or 500), and bilirubin was administered to the recipients every 12 h, starting from one day before transplantation until 5 days after transplantation. Administration of bilirubin improved glucose control and enhanced glucose tolerance in diabetic recipients, and reduced the serum levels of inflammatory mediators including IL-1ß, TNF-α, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and NO, and inhibited the infiltration of Kupffer cells into the islet grafts, and restored insulin-producing ability of transplanted islets.

Islets of Langerhans are protected from inflammatory cell recruitment during reperfusion of rat pancreas grafts.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury plays a pivotal role in the development of graft pancreatitis, with ischemia time representing one of its crucial factors. However, it is unclear, whether exocrine and endocrine tissue experience similar inflammatory responses during pancreas transplantation (PTx). This study evaluated inflammatory susceptibilities of islets of Langerhans (ILH) and exocrine tissue after different preservation periods during early reperfusion. METHODS: PTx was performed in rats following 2 h (2h-I) or 18 h (18h-I) preservation. Leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions (LEI) were analyzed in venules of acinar tissue and ILH in vivo over 2 h reperfusion. Nontransplanted animals served as controls. Tissue samples were analyzed by histomorphometry. RESULTS: In exocrine venules leukocyte rolling predominated in the 2h-I group. In the 18h-I group, additionally, high numbers of adherent leukocytes were found. Histology revealed significant edema formation and leukocyte extravasation in the 18h-I group. Notably, LEI in postcapillary venules of ILH were significantly lower. Leukocyte rolling was only moderately enhanced and few leukocytes were found adherent. Histology revealed minor leukocyte extravasation. CONCLUSION: Ischemia time contributes decisively to the extent of the I/R-injury in PTx. However, ILH have a significantly lower susceptibility towards I/R, even when inflammatory reactions in adjacent exocrine tissue are evident.

Precursor cells in mouse islets generate new beta-cells in vivo during aging and after islet injury.

Whereas it is believed that the pancreatic duct contains endocrine precursors, the presence of insulin progenitor cells residing in islets remain controversial. We tested whether pancreatic islets of adult mice contain precursor beta-cells that initiate insulin synthesis during aging and after islet injury. We used bigenic mice in which the activation of an inducible form of Cre recombinase by a one-time pulse of tamoxifen results in the permanent expression of a floxed human placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) gene in 30% of pancreatic beta-cells. If islets contain PLAP(-) precursor cells that differentiate into beta-cells (PLAP(-)IN(+)), a decrease in the percentage of PLAP(+)IN(+) cells per total number of IN(+) cells would occur. Conversely, if islets contain PLAP(+)IN(-) precursors that initiate synthesis of insulin, the percentage of PLAP(+)IN(+) cells would increase. Confocal microscope analysis revealed that the percentage of PLAP(+)IN(+) cells in islets increased from 30 to 45% at 6 months and to 60% at 12 months. The augmentation in the level of PLAP in islets with time was confirmed by real-time PCR. Our studies also demonstrate that the percentage of PLAP(+)IN(+) cells in islets increased after islet injury and identified putative precursors in islets. We postulate that PLAP(+)IN(-) precursors differentiate into insulin-positive cells that participate in a slow renewal of the beta-cell mass during aging and replenish beta-cells eliminated by injury.

Compaction of islets is detrimental to transplant outcome in mice.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent progress in clinical islet transplantation, the cumulative world experience remains small. Optimizing protection of islets throughout the isolation, purification, and peritransplant period remains critical to outcome. We herein investigate the potential detrimental impact of maintaining islets in a pelleted state for periods preceding implantation. We hypothesize that periods of islet compaction lead to impairment if islet function in vivo. METHODS: In this study, 250-islet marginal mass transplants were conducted in the BALB/c syngeneic mouse model using islets either preincubated as an islet pellet or suspended in culture during the 30 min immediately preceding transplant. Nonfasting blood glucose, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, graft histology, and graft insulin content were all used to monitor graft function up to four weeks posttransplant. RESULTS: Maintaining islets in a compact pellet for 30 min prior to transplantation significantly reduces the proportion of transplant recipients that achieve normoglycemia (from 100% to 38%, P=0.026) and increases the proportion of apoptotic beta-cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that damage induced by sustained islet compaction results in poor graft outcome in mice. These findings raise concerns relating to potential damage to human islets prior to clinical transplantation, and this will be explored in further studies.

Responses of IL-18- and IL-18 receptor-deficient pancreatic islets with convergence of positive and negative signals for the IL-18 receptor.

Pancreatic islets contain cells that produce IL-18 and cells that express IL-18 receptors. In experimentally induced diabetes, islet failure correlates with IL-18 levels and diabetes is delayed with blockade of endogenous IL-18. We studied islet-derived IL-18 and responses to IL-18 in a mouse model of islet allograft transplantation. In vitro, IL-18-stimulated islets produced nitric oxide, which closely matched islet apoptosis. By neutralizing IL-18 activity with IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), we observed that islets produce bioactive IL-18. In vivo, transgenic mice overproducing IL-18BP (IL-18BP-Tg) exhibited delayed hyperglycemia induced by beta cell toxic streptozotocin. Similarly, cultured IL-18BP-Tg islets were protected from streptozotocin-induced apoptosis. In the transplant model, islets grafted from WT to IL-18BP-Tg mice achieved prolonged normoglycemia (P = 0.031). Improved graft function was also observed by using IL-18-deficient islets transplanted into WT recipients, demonstrating that endogenous, islet-derived IL-18 mediates IL-18-driven graft damage. Unexpectedly, islets from mice deficient in IL-18 receptor alpha chain (IL-18R) exhibited rapid graft failure (P = 0.024; IL-18- versus IL-18R-deficient grafts in WT recipients). In related studies, IL-18R-deficient splenocytes and macrophages produced 2- to 3-fold greater amounts of IL-18, TNFalpha, macrophage inflammatory protein 1, macrophage inflammatory protein 2, and IFNgamma upon stimulation with Con A, Toll-like receptor 2 agonist, or anti-CD3 antibodies. These data reveal a role for islet-derived IL-18 activity during inflammation-mediated islet injury. Importantly, discrepancies between IL-18- and IL-18R-deficient cells suggest that IL-18Ralpha chain is used by an inflammation-suppressing signal.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator deficiency exacerbates islet cell dysfunction after beta-cell injury.

The cause of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) remains unknown, but cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations contribute directly to multiple aspects of the cystic fibrosis phenotype. We hypothesized that susceptibility to islet dysfunction in cystic fibrosis is determined by the lack of functional CFTR. To address this, glycemia was assessed in CFTR null (CFTR(-/-)), C57BL/6J, and FVB/NJ mice after streptozotocin (STZ)-induced beta-cell injury. Fasting blood glucose levels were similar among age-matched non-STZ-administered animals, but they were significantly higher in CFTR(-/-) mice 4 weeks after STZ administration (288.4 +/- 97.4, 168.4 +/- 35.9, and 188.0 +/- 42.3 mg/dl for CFTR(-/-), C57BL/6J, and FVB/NJ, respectively; P < 0.05). After intraperitoneal glucose administration, elevated blood glucose levels were also observed in STZ-administered CFTR(-/-) mice. STZ reduced islets among all strains; however, only CFTR(-/-) mice demonstrated a negative correlation between islet number and fasting blood glucose (P = 0.02). To determine whether a second alteration associated with cystic fibrosis (i.e., airway inflammation) could impact glucose control, animals were challenged with Aspergillus fumigatus. The A. fumigatus-sensitized CFTR(-/-) mice demonstrated similar fasting and stimulated glucose responses in comparison to nonsensitized animals. These studies suggest metabolic derangements in CFRD originate from an islet dysfunction inherent to the CFTR(-/-) state.

Ameliorating injury during preservation and isolation of human islets using the two-layer method with perfluorocarbon and UW solution.

This study assessed the effects of a two-layer method (TLM), using perfluorocarbon and UW solution, on the quality of human pancreata following storage and islet yield/function after isolation. In part A, TLM was applied immediately after procurement and the energetic profile was compared to a group treated with UW solution only (control) throughout 24-h storage. In part B, cadaveric human pancreata were procured and subjected to a TLM after cold storage in UW solution (TLM group) or UW solution (control group). Energetics, lipid peroxidation, and islet recovery/function were assessed after preservation at 4 degrees C. In part A, after 9-h storage, the energetic profile (ATP, ATP/ADP, energy charge) for the TLM group was superior to controls. In part B, TLM treatment resulted in consistently greater ATP, ATP/ADP, and energy charge values than with storage in UW solution alone (p < 0.05). UW treatment resulted in 40% greater peroxidative damage than in the TLM group (p < 0.05). Islet recovery and functional viability were 30-40% higher following TLM treatment (p < 0.05). These data support the hypothesis that islet viability and yields can be significantly improved using a brief period of TLM treatment following conventional UW storage; reduced energetic and oxidative stress are implicated as potential mechanisms.

Recruitment of bone marrow-derived endothelial cells to sites of pancreatic beta-cell injury.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are detectable in the blood and bone marrow throughout life. These cells contribute to new blood vessel formation (neovascularization) in physiological states such as wound healing and in pathological states such as tumor angiogenesis. We hypothesized that bone marrow-derived EPCs could play a role in the response to pancreatic islet cell injury. We used a murine model of experimentally induced beta-cell injury followed by transplantation with genetically marked bone marrow cells. Bone marrow-derived cells were detectable throughout the pancreas after transplantation. Whereas the total number of bone marrow-derived cells in the pancreas decreased over time, the frequency of endothelial cells (of both donor and recipient origin) increased after transplantation in the animals in which beta-cell injury had been induced. There was no evidence in this model that bone marrow-derived cells differentiated into insulin-expressing cells. This study provides evidence that bone marrow-derived EPCs are recruited to the pancreas in response to islet injury. EPC-mediated neovascularization of the pancreas could in principle be exploited to facilitate the recovery of non-terminally injured beta-cells or to improve the survival and/or function of islet allografts.

Effect of superoxide dismutase, catalase, chelating agents, and free radical scavengers on the toxicity of alloxan to isolated pancreatic islets in vitro.

The effect of superoxide dismutase, catalase, metal-chelating agents and hydroxyl radical scavengers on the toxicity of alloxan to isolated ob/ob mouse pancreatic islets in vitro has been compared with the reported ability of such substances to protect against alloxan diabetes in vivo. Superoxide dismutase and catalase protected beta-cells of isolated pancreatic islets against alloxan cytotoxicity, as did the hydroxyl radical scavengers dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and butanol. However, 1,3-dimethylurea and thiourea, that are recognised as effective hydroxyl radical scavengers and that protect animals against the diabetogenic effects of alloxan, were without effect. Similarly, desferrioxamine, that inhibits hydroxyl radical formation from alloxan in chemically defined systems, did not protect against alloxan toxicity. Diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid, which does not inhibit hydroxyl radical formation from alloxan, also gave no significant protection. The results indicate a role for superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide in the mechanism of toxicity of alloxan but do not support the involvement of the hydroxyl radical in this process. Alternative explanations must be sought for the ability of hydroxyl radical scavengers and metal-chelating agents to protect against alloxan toxicity in vivo.

Viability analysis of cryopreserved rat pancreatic islets using laser scanning confocal microscopy.

We have developed a digital image analysis technique to assay the viability of frozen-thawed pancreatic islets by using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) in conjunction with double fluorescent staining [acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI)]. Freshly isolated rat pancreatic islets were cultured for 18-24 h and then brought to a 2 M concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) by serial addition at decreasing temperatures. Ice was nucleated in the islet suspension at a defined temperature (-10 degrees C), followed by a controlled period for equilibration and then cooling in a programmable bulk freezer at rates of 0.3, 1, 3, 10 and 30 degrees C/min to -70 degrees C. Samples were then stored in liquid nitrogen. Subsequent to rapid thawing and serial dilution with sucrose solution to remove Me2SO, AO/PI-stained individual islets were prepared for imaging on the LSCM. A series of optical sections through individual stained islets were obtained and processed to obtain high-contrast images at two different wavelengths; 488 nm and 514 nm for viable and damaged tissue, respectively. Image analysis algorithms consisted of template masking, generation of histograms of the pixel intensity profile, and gray level thresholding to obtain binary images. The total percentages of both types of tissue in the islet were computed by summing the two populations in each serial section. The spatial distributions of viable and damaged tissue were calculated from the three-dimensional (3-D) data base for both cultured (control) and cryopreserved islets. The 3-D spatial distributions of damaged and viable tissue in the islets were computed by determining the normalized distance of each viable/damaged voxel from the centroid of the islet volume to a mathematically estimated 3-D superquadric surface used to estimate the outer boundary of the islet. Further, each isolated damaged cell was identified and its volume determined. These studies indicate that cryopreserved islets exhibit shape distortion and a decrease in the numerical density of cells in comparison to unfrozen controls. Maximal survival was observed at the slower cooling rates. Accordingly, damage was found to occur throughout the 3-D islet volume in distinct spatial distributions for islets frozen at the slower and the faster cooling rates. Further, it was found that the volume of the majority of damaged cells identified was consistent with that of cells ranging in diameter from 5 to 9 micrometers.