Sympathetic reinnervation of rat kidney grafts.
BACKGROUND
Reinnervation occurs in many transplanted tissues and organs. Sympathetic reinnervation in rat kidney grafts was investigated.


METHODS
Rats were syngeneically transplanted with a kidney and bilaterally nephrectomized. Reinnervation was assessed by immunohistochemical staining for neuron-specific protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and by tissue norepinephrine measurements in grafts removed 1.5 (n=6), 3 (n=7), 6 (n=8), and 9 (n=7) months after transplantation.


RESULTS
PGP 9.5-positive neural structures were significantly reduced in grafts removed 1.5 and 3 months after transplantation compared with native kidneys with slightly increased numbers at 6 and 9 months after transplantation. Median transplant norepinephrine concentrations remained at approximately 3% compared with native kidneys until 9 months after transplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
In transplanted rat kidneys, some reinnervation occurs in the hilum within 9 months after transplantation. This is not accompanied by a significant recovery of norepinephrine concentration in renal tissue indicating persistent sympathetic denervation.
Grisk
O
O
Department of Physiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswalder Strasse 11c, D-17495 Karlsburg, Germany.
Gröne
H J
HJ
Rose
H J
HJ
Rettig
R
R
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000294:innervation* / Q000378:metabolism; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011184:Postoperative Period; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D012016:Reference Values; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors
D009638:Norepinephrine