Different effect of two immunomodulating agents cyclosporin A and ciamexon on the insulin metabolism of cultured mouse islets.

ABSTRACT

Ciamexon is a new immunomodulating agent with promising effects in treatment of newly-diagnosed insulin dependent diabetic patients. Ciamexon seems to have fewer adverse toxic properties than Cyclosporin A. Therefore, the effects of both substances on islet cell function were studied. Collagenase-isolated mouse islets were cultured free-floating for 3 or 7 days in medium RPMI 1640 plus 10% fetal calf serum in the presence of Cyclosporin A or Ciamexon (0.1 microgram/ml, 1 microgram/ml). Culture of the islets in the presence of 0.1 microgram/ml Ciamexon neither reduced the number of viable islets nor impaired insulin secretion as was found in Cyclosporin A. These results should be taken into account when treating early Type 1 diabetes or when transplanting islet cells.