Evaluation of collagenase gold plus BP protease in isolating islets from human pancreata.

Selection of enzymes for optimal pancreas digestion is essential for successful human islet isolations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and outcome of using Collagenase Gold plus BP protease (VitaCyte) (n = 8) by comparing it to two commercially available enzymes, Liberase MTF C/T (Roche) (n = 48) and Collagenase NB1/NP (Serva) (n = 15). The isolation outcomes were assessed by islet counting, viability, glucose-stimulated oxygen consumption rate (OCR), and successful graft-rate following transplantation in diabetic NOD scid mice. The pancreas donor characteristics were not significantly different between the tested enzyme groups regarding their BMI, pancreas weight, cold ischemia time (CIT) and HbA1c. The results show that digested tissue volume was not statistically significant between the VitaCyte enzyme (34.25 ± 5.4 mL) and the Roche enzyme (55.25 ± 3.42 mL, p = 0.073), however, this was significant with Serva enzyme (64.07 ± 7.95 mL, p = 0.020). Interestingly, the islet yields were not statistically different between all enzyme groups. Moreover, when islets were transplanted into NOD scid mice, the reversal rate of diabetes for the VitaCyte enzyme group was similar to all enzyme groups. In conclusion, the effectiveness of Collagenase Gold plus BP protease is comparable to the MTF C/T and the Collagenase NB1/NP enzymes; the low cost could facilitate the use of more pancreata for islet isolations.

Encompassing ATP, DNA, insulin, and protein content for quantification and assessment of human pancreatic islets.

Islet transplantation has made major progress to treat patients with type 1 diabetes. Islet mass and quality are critically important to ensure successful transplantation. Currently, islet status is evaluated using insulin secretion, oxygen consumption rate, or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) measurement. These parameters are evaluated independently and do not effectively predict islet status post-transplant. Therefore, assessing human pancreatic islets by encompassing ATP, DNA, insulin, and protein content from a single tissue sample would serve as a better predictor for islet status. In this study, a single step procedure for extracting ATP, DNA, insulin, and protein content from human pancreatic islets was described and the biomolecule contents were quantified. Additionally, different mathematical calculations integrating total ATP, DNA, insulin, and protein content were randomly tested under various conditions to predict islet status. The results demonstrated that the ATP assay was efficient and the biomolecules were effectively quantified. Furthermore, the mathematical formula we developed could be optimized to predict islet status. In conclusion, our results indicate a proof-of-concept that a simple logarithmic formula can predict overall islet status for various conditions when total islet ATP, DNA, insulin, and protein content are simultaneously assessed from a single tissue sample.

Non-traditional therapies for diabetes: fact or fiction.

The number of medications now available to treat Type 2 Diabetes has been expanding quickly over the past two decades. At the same time, the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has also been rising. Individuals with diabetes are 1.6 times more likely than those without diabetes to use modalities that are not considered part of conventional medicine. Numerous dietary supplements are available over the counter and are being advertized to treat diabetes and its co morbidities. No conclusive data on their clinical benefit, potential harms, dosing or interaction with other medications is yet available. But for clinicians to maintain a trusting relationship with their patient, a respectful non-confrontational attitude is needed to encourage open dialogue, provide accurate information, and facilitate changes to the medical regimen. It is essential that clinicians stay informed and advise their patient with the available scientific data accordingly. In this review, we focus on current data on six supplements commonly encountered in community practice for treating diabetes, including cinnamon, fenugreek, vinegar, ginseng, bitter melon, gymnema, chromium, and vanadium.

Sporadic urban leptospirosis.

Severe leptospirosis (Weil Syndrome) was diagnosed in an otherwise healthy environmental worker in Baltimore alleys in late November 2010. He developed multiple organ failure but responded to antibiotic therapy and experienced a full recovery within 4 weeks. His diagnosis was confirmed by a rise in indirect hemagglutinin titer (acute 0, convalescent 400). The subject had close contact with Baltimore alley rats; a similar epidemiologic exposure and location reported in an outbreak 15 years ago.