Use of the continuous glucose monitoring system in Goettingen Minipigs, with a special focus on the evaluation of insulin-dependent diabetes.

Objectives: Adult pig islet isolation has greatly improved in the past few years. Islet grafts may now be tested in large animals. Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) was applied to diabetic Goettingen Minipigs (GMP) to improve the management of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia and their welfare before transplantation.

Methods: GMP (25-35 kg) received a minipig diet once daily. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ; 150 mg/kg intravenous [IV]; n = 5) or by surgical pancreatectomy (PGMP; n = 3). Interstitial glucose concentration (IGC) was monitored continuously with an implanted sensor; CGMS was calibrated using conventional blood glucose tests 3-4 times per day; CGMS data were fed into the monitor memory and analyzed using CGMS software.

Results: Glucose sensors were handled accurately. Diabetes occurred 2-3 days after STZ or immediately after pancreatectomy with basal C-peptide secretion of <0.4 ng/mL (measured using intravenous glucose tolerance test) and prompt loss of body weight. Insulin substitution was necessary to keep the GMP in good condition for up to 5-6 months, with stable body weight and normal behavior. Some GMP became hypoglycemic, which was only documented by CGMS, but not by conventional glucose assays. Tight glucose control and substitution of exocrine enzymes (Creon 25,000 E/d) reduced morbidity of the PGMP, which was then comparable with that of STZ-GMP.

Conclusions: The CGMS, developed for humans, is equally suitable for the 2 GMP diabetes models. Close-meshed glucose monitoring and insulin treatment improved the general condition of the diabetic GMP, ie, the islet graft recipients, and will thus greatly add to posttransplantation success.