Year 2014 Vol. 22 No 1

EXPERIMENTAL SURGERY

E. MATEVOSSIAN, I. SNOPOK, ANNE-K VON THADE, G. BABARYKA, D. DOLL

LIVER TRANSPLANTATION IN A RAT: A DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIMENTAL TRIALS, SURGICAL TECHNIQUE AND FUNCTION OF TRANSPLANT

The hospital “Rechts der Isar”, Munich Technical University1, Munich, Germany
Transplantation Center Munich, the hospital “Rechts der Isar”, Munich Technical University 2, Munich, Germany
St. Lukas Hospital 3, Solingen, Germany
Center for Preclinical Research, the hospital “Rechts der Isar”, Munich Technical University 4, Munich, Germany
Institute of General Pathology and Pathological Anatomy, the hospital “Rechts der Isar” of Munich Technical University, Munich 5, Germany
Catholic hospital Oldenburger Munsterland, St. Mary's Hospital 6, Vechta, Germany

Objectives. To develop the model of acute and chronic rejection of the liver graft in rats and studying of occurring histological and functional changes as well as the investigation of the technical modifications of the microvascular anastomoses.
Methods. DA-(RT1av1) rats served as donors, LEWIS-(RT1) rats served as recipients. The arterialized orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) was performed using a combined suture, cuff and splint-method. The recipients were divided into 4 groups: control groups of syngeneic (I) and allogeneic animals (II), allogeneic rats with high-dose FK506 (Tacrolimus, Prograf®) immunosuppression (III), and allogeneic with high-dose immunosuppression and graft retrograde reperfusion (IV). After OLT blood serum parameters were determined and liver biopsy specimens studied. The histopathological peculiarities of acute rejection reaction with or without immunosuppressive treatment were studied.
Results. On the 10th day after OLT the syngeneic (I) and allogeneic rats with high-dose immunosuppression (group III and IV) showed the normal blood serum parameters and histopathological architectonics. Three-months survival-rate made up 98%. The simplified technique of OLT with one suture and two cuff anastomoses allowed obtaining the best short- and long-term survival rates in all groups of animals. Retrograde reperfusion of the graft via subhepatic part of nferior vena cava demonstrated the lowest values of postoperative liver enzyme in the blood serum.
Conclusions. The experimental model is considered to be easily reproducible and can be used for comprehensive basic research of liver transplantation. In this paper we present the practical recommendations for the quick mastering of this operation.

Keywords: liver transplantation, rat model, surgical technique, rejection, immunosuppression
p. 18 – 25 of the original issue
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Address for correspondence:
Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. habil. Edouard Matevossian, MD, Department of Surgery,
Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Strasse 22, 81675 Munich, Germany.
e-mail: edouard.matevossian@tum.de
Information about the authors:
Matevossian E. MD, an associate professor of surgery, the hospital “Rechts der Isar” of Munich Technical University, Munich, Germany.
Snopok I. An assistant surgeon, St. Lukas hospital, Solingen, Germany.
Anne-K von Thaden, MD, Center for preclinical research, the hospital “Rechts der Isar” of Munich Technical University, Munich, Germany
Babaryka G. MD, Institute of General Pathology and Pathological Anatomy, the hospital “Rechts der Isar” of Munich Technical University, Munich, Germany
Doll D. MD, an associate professor of surgery, Catholic hospital Oldenburger Munsterland, St. Mary's Hospital, Vechta, Germany.
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