Pancreatic islet separation method, and protective solution for protecting pancreatic islet tissue

摘要

The disclosed pancreatic islet separation method comprises: an injection step wherein a protective solution is injected into the pancreatic duct of an extracted pancreas; a preservation step wherein the pancreas is immersed into an immersion fluid and preserved; a digestion step wherein the pancreas is broken down and pancreatic tissue is obtained; and a purification step wherein the pancreatic tissue is immersed in a purification solution and pancreatic islets are obtained. The digestion step comprises: an enzyme injection step wherein an enzyme solution containing digestion enzymes is injected into the pancreas; a digestion initiation step wherein the digestion enzymes are activated; a digestion termination step wherein the digestion enzymes are de-activated; and a collection step wherein the broken down pancreatic tissue is collected. The pancreatic islet separation method is characterised in that, by adding a neutrophil elastase inhibitor to the system before the digestion initiation step, the neutrophil elastase inhibitor is present inside the pancreas at the point when the digestion initiation step is commenced. Also, by using a protective solution which can be used in the above method, pancreatic islets having a size and shape suitable for transplanting can be obtained in high yields.