Decreased survival of islet allografts in rats with advanced chronic complications of diabetes.

Successful islet transplantation has been possible in experimental animals in contrast to humans. One difference between animal models of diabetes and human islet transplantation is the presence of advanced chronic complications in humans. Even longer-term follow-up of islet transplantation in humans according to the Edmonton protocol suggests that advanced chronic complications may adversely affect allograft survival with the glucocorticoid-free immunosuppressive regimen as well.