Figure 3.

Bilirubin promotes glucose control and enhances glucose tolerance after IPIT. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic recipients received an optimal islet dose (1000 IEQ/rat) (A) or suboptimal doses (either 750[B] or 500[C] IEQ/rat). Recipients were given bilirubin (1 ml/kg body weight) or vehicle every 12 h, starting one day before and until 5 days after IPIT. Non-fasting glucose levels were assessed at indicated time points. (D) Percentage of recipients that achieved normal glucose level (< 200 mg/dl) in each group in (A, B and C). (E) 30 days after transplantation, the recipients were subjected to glucose tolerance test by fasting overnight and receiving i.p. injection of dextrose (2 g/kg body weight). Blood glucose levels were measured just before injection and 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after the injection. n, the number of rats assessed. ^*indicates a significant decrease from the respective vehicle-treated groups at respective time points at P < 0.05.