Pancreatic islet cell suspensions from newborn rats; different preparation procedures,viability and (pro)insulin biosynthesis

Summary Islet cell suspensions were prepared from neonatal rat pancreatic islets. While mechanical disintegration results in a higher yield, cells prepared by trypsin treatment appear to be better preserved. Trypsin treatment of pancreatic islets during the cell preparation procedure does not influence the stimulation by glucose of (pro)insulin biosynthesis in freshly isolated cells.Investigations were carried out as a part of the HFR Diabetes mellitus and Fettstoffwechselstörungen supported by the Ministry of Health of the GDR.