ISLET CELL DAMAGE ASSOCIATED WITH TACROLIMUS AND CYCLOSPORINE: MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES IN PANCREAS ALLOGRAFT BIOPSIES AND CLINICAL CORRELATION1

Abstract

The structural damage to beta cells demonstrated in this study is similar to morphological and functional abnormalities previously described in experimental animal models and can at least partially account for the glucose metabolism abnormalities seen in patients receiving these drugs. Toxic levels of CSA or FK and higher steroid doses potentiate each others' diabetogenic effects.