The Effects of Laser Therapy on Insulin Secretion in Isolated Porcine Islets

Xenotransplantation of porcine islets to human recipients is being investigated as a potential cure for type 1 diabetes. The objective of the study was to evaluate effects of laser therapy on insulin secretion in pig islets. Sixteen pig pancreata were harvested for islet isolation. Islets were treated with laser dosages of 5J - 25J followed by 30, 20 or 10-minute incubation in low (3.0 mM) or high (16.7 mM) glucose. Insulin secretion was higher in samples exposed to 5J laser therapy followed by a 30-minute culture in low glucose (P ≤ 0.05). When evaluating gender differences, male islets had an increased insulin secretion in low glucose (P ≤ 0.05) compared to females. No significant differences were seen in high glucose. In conclusion, laser therapy increased insulin secretion on pig islets in low glucose media. Future research should further investigate effects of 5J and 10J laser dosages on male pig islets.