Transplant International (Jan 2024)

Peri-Transplant Inflammation and Long-Term Diabetes Outcomes Were Not Impacted by Either Etanercept or Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Treatment in Islet Autotransplant Recipients

  • Tasneem R. Abdel-Karim,
  • James S. Hodges,
  • Kevan C. Herold,
  • Timothy L. Pruett,
  • Karthik V. Ramanathan,
  • Bernhard J. Hering,
  • Ty B. Dunn,
  • Ty B. Dunn,
  • Varvara A. Kirchner,
  • Varvara A. Kirchner,
  • Gregory J. Beilman,
  • Melena D. Bellin,
  • Melena D. Bellin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/ti.2024.12320
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 37

Abstract

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The instant blood-mediated inflammatory response (IBMIR) causes islet loss and compromises diabetes outcomes after total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplant (TPIAT). We previously reported a possible benefit of etanercept in maintaining insulin secretion 3 months post-TPIAT. Here, we report 2-year diabetes outcomes and peri-operative inflammatory profiles from a randomized trial of etanercept and alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) in TPIAT. We randomized 43 TPIAT recipients to A1AT (90 mg/kg IV x6 doses, n = 13), etanercept (50 mg then 25 mg SQ x 5 doses, n = 14), or standard care (n = 16). Inflammatory cytokines, serum A1AT and unmethylated insulin DNA were drawn multiple times in the perioperative period. Islet function was assessed 2 years after TPIAT with mixed meal tolerance test, intravenous glucose tolerance test and glucose-potentiated arginine induced insulin secretion. Cytokines, especially IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and MCP-1, were elevated during and after TPIAT. However, only TNFα differed significantly between groups, with highest levels in the etanercept group (p = 0.027). A1AT increased after IAT in all groups (p < 0.001), suggesting endogenous upregulation. Unmethylated insulin DNA ratios (a marker of islet loss) and 2 years islet function testing were similar in the three groups. To conclude, we found no sustained benefit from administering etanercept or A1AT in the perioperative period.

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