Pancreatic islet cells antibodies in diabetic patients submitted to pancreas transplantation.

Several pieces of evidence suggest an autoimmune etiology of diabetes mellitus type 1. To trace patients who are susceptible to the disease, we utilized islet cells antibodies (ICAs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of ICAs among diabetic patients undergoing simultaneous transplantation of the pancreas and kidney (SPK). Twenty-six diabetic patients received an SPK, 12 of whom were included in this analysis. The indirect immunofluorescence method was utilized for quantitation of ICAs. The types of ICAs were no different following transplantation of the pancreas. The serum levels of pre-existent ICAS in diabetic patients undergoing SPK with immunosuppression were not reduced, and they did not interfere with the function of the implanted pancreas over a period of 60 days.