ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the long-term results after combined pancreas-kidney transplantation at a single-center institution.Methods Fifty-three consecutive patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and end-stage nephropathy were followed up for more than three years after combined pancreas-kidney transplantation. Immunosuppressive protocol consisted of tacrolimus ( TAC ),mycophenolate mofetil (MMF),and steroids,and antithymocyte globulin or anti-CD25 receptor mAb.The impact of different risk factors was analyzed on long term patient and graft survival.Results The 3-,5- and 8-year survival rate in recipients was 90.1％,89.1 ％ and 80.0％,respectively.The 3-,5- and 8-year survival rate of pancreas grafts was 84.9％,84.8％ and 60.0％,and that of kidney grafts was 83.0％,82.6％ and 53.3％,respectively.Principal causes of death were Infection (n =4),renal failure (n =2),cardiovascular events (n =1 ),and cerebrovascular accident (n =1 ).Graft failure for the pancreas was caused by death with a functioning graft (n =6),rejection (n =2),thrombosis (n =1 ) and pancreatitis (n =1 ).Graft failure for the kidney was due to rejection (n =9),and death with a functioning graft (n =9).Conclusion This series representing the largest experience with long-term follow up in China confirms an excellent long-term survival.Infection,rejection and surgical complication were the major risk factors leading to deaths and graft loss.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of T. gondii soluble tachyzoite antigen (STAgs) on the survival time of mouse heart allograft and the possible mechanism. Methods The STAgs were prepared by pulverizing T. gondii tachyzoite with ultrasound on ice. Cervical heterotopic heart transplantations were done by using Balb/c mice as donors, and C57BL/6 mice as recipients.The recipients were classified randomly into three groups: syngeneic group, acute rejection group and STAgs-treated group. The recipients in acute rejection group and STAgs-treated group were injected subcutaneously with 0. 1 ml PBS and 0. 1 ml (5 μg) STAgs at the 4th day before transplantation respectively, and those in syngeneic group were not subjected to any treatment. The grafts were observed daily by cervical palpation, and the total cessation of cardiac contraction was defined as the endpoint. The heart allografts were harvested at the 7th day after transplantation for pathological examination and immunohistochemical staining for CD4+ T, CD8+ T. Results The recipients in syngeneic group were all alive at the 100th day after transplantation. The average survival time in acute rejection group and STAgs-treated group was (6.7± 0.5) days and (70.8± 3.5) days,respectively (P＜0.05). HE staining showed that the rejection on the 7th day after transplantation in syngeneic group, acute rejection group and STAgs-treated group was fallen into 0 degree, Ⅲ-Ⅳ degree and 0- Ⅰ degree, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the CD4+ T and CD8+T were markedly down-regulated in STAgs-treated group as compared with those in acute rejection group. Conclusion T. gondii STAgs can significantly prolong the survival time of mouse heart allograft and inhibit the rejection probably by changing the ratio of TH1/TH2, or inhibiting the effect of dendritic cells by inducing the lipoxin A4.