Biochemical detection of small intestinal allograft rejection by elevated circulating levels of serum intestinal fatty acid binding protein.
BACKGROUND
Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) was investigated as a serum marker for acute intestinal allograft rejection. Its behavior was compared with that of another putative marker of intestinal damage, hexosaminidase.


METHODS
Transplants were performed in three groups of rats: group 1, Lewis to Lewis; group 2, ACI to Lewis, no immunosuppression; and group 3, ACI to Lewis with cyclosporine given on posttransplant days 0 through 5. Daily serum I-FABP and hexosaminidase levels were quantitated and serial graft biopsy specimens were obtained.


RESULTS
Serum I-FABP levels fell to 20 ng/ml or less in all animals between posttransplant days 3 and 4. In group 1, I-FABP levels remained at baseline throughout the experiment. In group 2, I-FABP levels rose dramatically on either day 6 or 7 and declined to baseline within 4 days of the peak. On the day that I-FABP levels increased, findings of biopsy specimens were consistent with early rejection. In group 3 the rise in serum I-FABP levels was delayed 2 to 10 days. Hexosaminidase did not correlate with rejection.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum I-FABP content correlated with early histologic manifestations of rejection. Hexosaminidase was insensitive as a marker in this model. I-FABP, which has a human analog, has potential as a biochemical marker for early intestinal allograft rejection.
Marks
W H
WH
Department of Surgery, Yale University, Seattle, Wash.
Gollin
G
G
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D000071438:Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 7; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D006084:Graft Rejection; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000637:transplantation*; D008297:Male; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D051381:Rats; D011912:Rats, Inbred ACI; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / Q000097:blood
D002352:Carrier Proteins; C490174:Fabp7 protein, rat; D000071438:Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 7; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases