An Examination of Donor Factors That Impact the Results of the Glucagon Stimulation Test as an Assessment of the Pancreatic Graft Endocrine Function

Objectives Delta C-peptide derived by the glucagon stimulation test is a reliable value for the evaluation of the pancreatic endocrine function after pancreas transplantation. We examined the associations between delta C-peptide as pancreatic graft endocrine function and donor background factors. Methods Sixty-five cases of pancreatic transplantation from brain-dead donors, which were performed in our facility, were enrolled in this study. Enrolled recipients underwent a glucagon stimulation test within 1 to 3 months after transplantation to evaluate the pancreatic graft endocrine function with delta C-peptide to compare donor background factors. Results The following factors were associated with significant deterioration of the delta C-peptide: age of 50 years or greater, death from cerebrovascular accident, hemoglobin A1c level of 5.6% or greater, creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL or greater, C-reactive protein level of 25 mg/dL or greater, and sodium level of 150 mmol/L or greater. In addition, increased numbers of these donor factors indicated significantly greater deterioration of the posttransplant pancreatic endocrine function (P < 0.001). Conclusions To secure insulin independence after pancreas transplantation, which means maintaining a delta C-peptide level of 1.0 ng/mL or greater on a glucagon stimulation test, the utilization of donors, who possesses more than equal to 3 of the donor factors identified in this study, should be carefully considered.