Effect of X-ray irradiation on limb allograft rejection in adult rats.
OBJECTIVE
To establish appropriate animal models for observing the effects of X-ray irradiation on limb allograft rejection.


METHODS
Wistar rats were used as donators and SD rats as recipients, the latter divided into 2 groups, namely irradiation group and non-irradiation group according to pretransplant treatment with or without X-ray radiation (5 Gy) on the part of the donators. The donor limbs were transplanted into SD rats who had their own limbs cut off, and the sciatic nerve, femoral nerve, and femoral artery and femoral vein were anastomosed in operation. After the operation, all the recipients were given benzathine benzylpenicillin, and their vital signs, together with changes of the allografts, observed.


RESULTS
A total of 16 rats received transplantation that was successful in 6 rats of non-radiation group and 7 of irradiation group. The graft survival averaged 12.0+/-2.4 d in non-irradiation group and 24.7+/-8.1 d in irradiation group, showing significant difference in the lengths of survival between the 2 groups (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The graft survival time in rats can be significantly prolonged by pretransplant irradiation of the allograft, which also help control acute rejection of the allograft.
Ma
Zhong-Li
ZL
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Pei
Guo-Xian
GX
Zhu
Li-Jun
LJ
Shi
Yu-Sheng
YS
Chen
Long-Hua
LH
Zheng
Jing-Liang
JL
Wang
Ke
K
Chen
Bin
B
Wei
Kuan-Hai
KH
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005121:Extremities / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000637:transplantation*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014965:X-Rays