Predicting the outcome of islet isolation in large mammals

Predicting the outcome of islet isolation in large mammals. Reply to Hubert T, Gmyr V, Vantyghem MC et al. [letter]

“…Adequate in vivo functional islet mass in the pancreas donor is one of many factors that can have an impact on the outcome of pancreatic islet isolation. Therefore, we agree with Hubert et al [1] that a reliable method to screen functional donor islet mass in vivo has the potential to improve successful islet isolation outcomes. Other tests, such as glucose tolerance tests, beta cell secretory capacity [5], positron-emission tomography [6], and glucose-or arginineinduced acute insulin release (AIR), have been used to assess functional islet mass.…”

“…To the Editor: We are grateful to Hubert et al [1] for their comment on our recent publication in Diabetologia [2]. Much effort has been made to identify factors or variables that improve pancreatic islet yield and promote successful islet isolation [3,4].…”