Fig. 8: Oxygenation by the BEAM system effectively preserved the viability and function of encapsulated pancreatic islets in an allogeneic rat model.

A Stereomicroscopic images showing islet-laden alginate hydrogel layer peeled off from an implant without oxygenation and an implant with oxygenation. B Viability assessment of encapsulated islets by dual fluorescent staining. Green: Acridine Orange, Live cells; Red: Ethidium homodimer, dead cells; Blue: Nuclear staining. C Representative immunofluorescence staining of encapsulated islets in implants without oxygen supplementation and implants with oxygen supplementation. Red: Insulin; Green: Glucagon; Blue: Nuclear staining. D H&E staining of islets before encapsulation, islets in an implant without oxygenation, and islets in an implant with oxygenation. Similar results were observed among the four rats in non-oxygenation groups and the four rats with continuous oxygenation until retrieval. E Ex vivo GSIS of encapsulated islets in implants without oxygen supplementation (n = 3; day 37, 38, and 59) and implants with oxygen supplementation (n = 4; day 32, 40, 45, and 88). Data are presented as individual values (left) and mean ± SD (right). Statistical analysis was performed using paired two-tailed Student’s t test.