Background: For experimental basic research, standardized transplantation models reflecting technical and immunologic aspects are necessary. This article describes an experimental model of combined pancreas/kidney transplantation (PKTx) in detail. Materials and Methods: Donor rats underwent en bloc pancreatectomy and nephrectomy. Revascularization was performed using the aorta with the superior mesenteric artery and the inferior vena cava with the portal vein. Exocrine drainage of the pancreas took place over a segment of the duodenum which was transplanted side-to-side to the jejunum. The kidney vessels were transplanted end-to-side. The ureter was anastomosed by patch technique. Postoperatively, serum parameters were monitored daily. Biopsies for histopathology were taken on days 5, 8 and 12. Results: All 12 recipients survived the combined PKTx without serious surgical complications. One thrombosis of the portal vein led to organ failure. Blood glucose levels were normal by the 3rd postoperative day. The transplanted duodenal segment showed slight villous atrophy, and the kidneys were well perfused without vascular complications. The anastomosis between ureter and bladder was leakproof. Conclusions: Excellent graft function and survival rates can be achieved due to simplified operation technique and short operation time. It may thus have high clinical relevance to immunologic issues within the scope of basic research.
Background: Rat liver transplantation is a common method in liver transplantation research. There are lots of different methods described until today. Although liver transplantation with retrograde reperfusion is established in the clinical routine there is no rat liver model described.Methods: Arterialized rat liver transplantation with initial retrograde reperfusion was performed on n ¼ 7 male LEWIS-(RT 1 )-rats. 1, 24 and 48 hours after the operation, serum parameters were determined. Furthermore, after 48 hours the liver was taken for histological assessment.Results: The AST and the ALT levels showed a linear decrease during the first 48 hours after transplantation. GLDH levels showed an increase during the first 24 hours before they decreased strongly. In histology, the livers showed a good quality with only less necrosis. The highest amount of necrosis could be seen in the Rappaport zone 3.Conclusions: We were able to show that arterialized rat liver transplantation with initial retrograde reperfusion is feasible and shows a good outcome. Especially in centers where retrograde reperfusion of the liver is performed in clinical transplantation this method should be used for transplantation research to reach the closest possible relation between science and clinic.
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