Comparison of immunomodulation by cyclosporin A and azathioprine on pancreatic xenograft survival.
Prolonged survival of pancreatic xenografts in the muscles of diabetic rabbits under the immunomodulation of cyclosporin A and azathioprine was achieved. The mean graft survival time (as assessed by euglycemic status and histopathological findings) in Group A (azathioprine treated) was 36 days, in Group B (cyclosporin A treated) it was 69 days, and the difference was significant (p < 0.001). Adequate immunosuppression helps the pancreatic xenograft to normalize the blood glucose level (BGL) by prolonging its survival time. Our study demonstrates that xenotransplanted islet cells in a natural environment (pancreatic tissue in the form of thin slices) survive and function adequately in immunosuppressed recipients, and addition of cyclosporin A significantly prolongs survival of the xenograft. This discordant xenotransplantation model may be useful for future xenotransplantation studies.
Gupta
R C
RC
Department of Medicine, Medical College and Attached Group of Hospitals, Kota, India.
Mathur
A K
AK
Gupta
N
N
Prasad
N
N
Sharma
P
P
Srivastava
R
R
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016035:Pancreas Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D001379:Azathioprine