title: Prolonged survival of rat hindlimb allografts following short-course FK506 and mycophenolate mofetil combination therapy.
abstract: The immunosuppressive effect of combined therapy using FK506 and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was studied in rat limb allotransplantation. Dark Agouti rat donor hindlimbs were orthotopically transplanted into Lewis rat recipients. In total, 38 models of transplantation were performed and divided into 8 groups that were treated individually or in combination with FK506 + MMF therapy. Animals were immunosuppressed for 28 days and then observed for up to 140 days. Graft rejection was evaluated both macroscopically and histologically. Survival times for rat limb allotransplants receiving combination FK506 + MMF therapy were significantly longer than with FK506 or MMF monotherapy, and this was achieved without serious side effects. A histopathological study demonstrated a significantly lower level of rejection with FK506 + MMF combination treatment compared to groups receiving FK506 or MMF monotherapy. Combined FK506 + MMF treatment can prolong the survival of rat limb allografts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan.
authors.forename: You-Xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muramatsu
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kurokawa
authors.forename: Toshihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taguchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D016559:Tacrolimus