SMALL BOWEL TRANSPLANTATION IN THE DOG USING CYCLOSPORINE

Abstract

The effect of the new immunosuppressant cyclosporine on survival after total small intestinal allotransplantation (TSIA) was studied in a canine model. Successful TSIA was performed in 34 dogs. Eleven dogs were treated with cyclosporine, 25 mg/kg per day i.m., starting the day before the operation and continuing for 4 wk. Thereafter the same dose was given orally. Thirteen dogs were given oral cyclosporine only, 25 mg/kg per day from the day after transplantation. Ten dogs served as controls. The dogs treated with i.m. and oral cyclosporine survived a mean of 103.8 .+-. 39.4 days (mean .+-. S.E.M. [standard error of the mean]). The longest survivor died after 432 days. Survival in this group was significantly longer than that of the control dogs, which survived 12.5 .+-. 4.6 days. The orally treated dogs survived 30.4 .+-. 7.6 days. All control dogs, and 7 of the orally treated dogs, but only 2 of the i.m. treated dogs, died of acute rejection. Evidently, cyclosporine is effective in prolonging survival after TSIA in the dog and reduces the incidence of acute rejection.