Improvement of a rat lung transplantation model / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Orthotopic lung transplantation model in a rat is the key to investigate the chronic rejection after lung transplantation. However, the precise surgical technique and difficult operation limit the application of the model. OBJECTIVE:To improve the process of anesthesia and lung transplantation, and to establish a rapid, safe and reversible rat lung transplantation model. METHODS:A total of 42 rats were used to establish the model, including 21 donor models and 21 receptor models. The donor lung was excised by median sternotomy with dissection of the left lung and implantation of cuffs (intravenous catheters cut into 1.5 mm sections). The left lung was implanted in the recipient by lateral thoracotomy using the cuffs for anastomoses. The duration of surgery and success rate of transplantation were recorded and calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The survival rate of rats after lung transplantation was 100%. The time of left donor lung extraction was (35.3±5.1) minutes in average. The time of placing cuff in donor lung was (12.5±4.6) minutes in average. The surgical procedure time of recipient was (50.2±3.3) minutes. The time of arteriovenous and bronchus casing anastomosis was (27.7±6.2) minutes. After pulmonary artery and vein blood flow was disparked, the whole lung turned red rapidly, blood perfusion was sufficient, venous returned unimpeded;after mechanical ventilation resumed, al graft lungs expanded wel . This improved anesthesia and lung transplantation technique in rats can provide a valid, reliable and reproducible animal model for studying immune responses and rejection in lung transplantation.