Excellence of the two-layer method (University of Wisconsin solution/perfluorochemical) in pancreas preservation before islet isolation.

Background: In islet transplantation pancreatic preservation before islet isolation is an obstacle compromising islet yield and viability. We tested the feasibility of a two-layer method (University of Wisconsin solution [UW]/perfluorochemical) for pancreatic preservation before islet isolation.

Methods: Dog pancreases were processed into pure islets by the method of Ricordi preceded by five different preservations (groups 1-a and 1-b, the two-layer method for 3 and 24 hours; groups 2-a and 2-b, simple cold storage in UW for 3 and 24 hours; group 3, without preservation).