Pancreas preservation with amphotericin B deteriorates islet yield for porcine islet isolation

Background Amphotericin B is a crucial agent in the management of serious systemic fungal infections. It is also known to be cytotoxic. In this study, we evaluated the effect of amphotericin B added to the preservation solution on islet yield during islet isolation. Methods Porcine pancreata were preserved in the preservation solution with or without amphotericin B (0.25 μg/mL) for approximately 18 hours at 4°C, and then islet isolation was performed. An optimized number (1750 IE) of isolated islets from each group were transplanted into streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice. The culture of isolated islets and acinar tissue with amphotericin B was also evaluated. Results The islet yield before and after purification in the amphotericin B (−) group was significantly higher than that in the amphotericin B (+) group. After islet transplantation into diabetic mice, blood glucose levels reached the normoglycemic range, with 50% and 0% of that of the diabetic mice in the amphotericin B (−) and amphotericin B (+) groups, respectively. In the culture study, amphotericin B was found to be cytotoxic to porcine islets and acinar tissue. Conclusions Amphotericin B added to the preservation solution deteriorates islet yield during porcine islet isolation. Thus, the use of amphotericin B should be considered carefully for the preservation of the pancreas for islet isolation and islet culture before islet transplantation.