Effects of encapsulated porcine islets on glucose and C-peptide concentrations in diabetic nude mice 6 months after intraperitoneal transplantation.

The peripheral blood sampling for c-peptide, though highly informative in vascularized grafts, may not be the primary tool for monitoring the health and function of encapsulated products when transplanted into intraperitoneal cavity. Our results might explain the clinical feature of the low C-peptide blood concentrations after successful intraperitoneal encapsulated islet transplantation.