Control of Insulin Secretion and Glucose Homeostasis in Exercising Diabetic Rats with Intrasplenic or Kidney Subcapsular Islet Grafts

Effects of Moderate Cycling Exercise on Blood Glucose Regulation Following Successful Clinical Islet Transplantation

CONTEXT

Islet transplantation is effective in preventing hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, it is unknown whether transplanted islets regulate plasma glucose concentrations appropriately during and after exercise in human islet transplant recipient (ITxs).

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of exercise on plasma glucose, insulin, and glucagon concentrations in ITxs compared with control subjects (CONs) without diabetes.

INTERVENTION

Participants completed two conditions in random order: 45 minutes of aerobic exercise (60% VO2peak) and 45 minutes of seated rest. Blood samples were drawn at baseline, immediately after exercise or rest, and every 15 minutes throughout a 60-minute recovery period. Postexercise (24 hours) interstitial glucose was monitored with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).

RESULTS

Twenty-four participants (12 ITxs, 12 CONs) completed the protocol. Plasma glucose decreased more over time with exercise in ITxs compared with CONs [main effects of treatment (P = 0.019), time (P = 0.001), and group (P = 0.012)]. Plasma glucose was lower during exercise vs rest in ITxs but not CONs [treatment by group interaction (P = 0.028)]. Plasma glucose decreased more during exercise than during rest [treatment by time interaction (P = 0.001)]. One ITx and one CON experienced plasma glucose concentrations <3.5 mmol/L at the end of exercise, both of whom returned above that threshold within 15 minutes. Nocturnal CGM glucose <3.5 mmol/L was detected in two CONs but no ITxs.

CONCLUSION

Despite a greater plasma glucose decline during exercise in ITxs, hypoglycemia risk was similar during and after exercise in ITxs compared with CONs.

Tissue-engineering approaches in pancreatic islet transplantation

Pancreatic islet transplantation is a promising alternative to whole-pancreas transplantation as a treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus. This technique has been extensively developed during the past few years, with the main purpose of minimizing the complications arising from the standard protocols used in organ transplantation. By using a variety of strategies used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, pancreatic islets have been successfully introduced in host patients with different outcomes in terms of islet survival and functionality, as well as the desired normoglycemic control. Here, we describe and discuss those strategies to transplant islets together with different scaffolds, in combination with various cell types and diffusible factors, and always with the aim of reducing host immune response and achieving islet survival, regardless of the site of transplantation.

Early alteration of kidney function in nonuremic type 1 diabetic islet transplant recipients under tacrolimus-mycophenolate therapy

BACKGROUND

Transplant patients on tacrolimus therapy exhibit a reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The type of graft and immune treatment protocol may influence the extent and reversibility of this side effect.

METHODS

The present single-center study is conducted in 48 nonuremic type 1 diabetic recipients of an intraportal islet-cell graft under maintenance immunosuppression (IS) with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. Estimated GFR (eGFR) and albuminuria were followed up to 5 years posttransplantation.

RESULTS

Mean eGFR values decreased by 19 mL/min/1.73 m after 1 to 2 weeks of IS (P<0.0001) and then remained stable throughout the complete treatment period. The decrease was related to predose trough tacrolimus concentrations or doses and disappeared upon its discontinuation; it was also associated with the presence of albuminuria at the time of transplantation. Tacrolimus treatment resulted in a reduction of albuminuria; its discontinuation restored albuminuria to the initial levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of tacrolimus in our islet-cell transplant protocol caused an initial 20% reduction in eGFR, which was reversible following its discontinuation, at least within the 5-year follow-up period. The associated reduction in albuminuria was also reversible, compatible with a tacrolimus-induced preglomerular vasoconstriction. These observations support further use of our tacrolimus regimen in this patient population.