"Ii-Pancreas Transplantation in Man", "Long Term Effects of Cyclosporine (CSA) and Tacrolimus (FK506) on Renal Structure and Function", "Studies of the Renal Interstitium Type I Diabetic Patients",

Detailed Summary

A. To study the effects of pancreas transplantation (PT) on the structural abnormalities of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in patients with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (type 1 D). These studies will address the influence of long-term normoglycemia on two stages of diabetic renal disease. Due to the difficulties encountered for recruitment of patients to agree to undergo a GFR and a native kidney biopsy in conjunction with their clinical evaluation visit for transplant, we are now focusing efforts on obtaining skin biopsies previous to transplant, and then at regular intervals (3, 6, and 9 months, and yearly) following a successful transplantation. * Pancreas Transplantation Alone (PTA). To determine, at 5, 10, and 15 years after PTA, the effects of normoglycemia on the established lesions of DN in the long-term type 1 D patients' own kidneys. * Islet Transplantation Alone (ITA). To determine, at 5 years after ITA, the effects of normoglycemia on the early lesions of DN in type 1 D patients' own kidneys. * Pancreas Transplantation after Kidney Transplantation (PAK). To determine at 5-10 years the effects of normoglycemia on the early structural lesions of DN in kidneys transplanted some years earlier into type 1 D recipients. Hypothesis: The benefits of PT on the early glomerular lesions of DN will be demonstrable after 5 years in kidneys exposed to diabetes for a short duration, while in patients with long-standing type 1 D and more advanced glomerular DN lesions, longer exposure to euglycemia is necessary to demonstrate arrest or regression of the lesions.

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