IL-1β and glycemia levels are inversely proportional in early period of allo- and xeno-transplantation of islets of Langerhans

Abstract

The aim of diabetes treatment must be to obtain normal glucose metabolism and prevent or reverse the late complications of the disease. Interest in islet transplantation for type 1 diabetes treatment is increasing, but immune mediated graft rejection is still a major concern at the time of transplantation. Previous findings have shown that interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) is important in initiating β-cell dysfunction and cellular damage. In this study, IL-1β release and its relationship to glycemia levelsfollowing transplantation of allo- or xenogeneic islets of Langerhans into the liver of healthy and diabetic rats were investigated. IL-1β and glycemia levels were found to be inversely related in early post-transplant period. Monitoring cytokine profiles ofrecipients, especially in peri-transplant period, seems to be a promising measure of graft functioning.