Effects of mycophenolate mofetil vs cyclosporine administration on graft survival and function after islet allotransplantation in diabetic rats.
OBJECTIVE
To develop an experimental model of islet allotransplantation in diabetic rats and to determine the positive or adverse effects of MMF as a single agent.


METHODS
Thirty-six male Wistar rats and 18 male Lewis rats were used as recipients and donors respectively. Diabetes was induced by the use of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Unpurified islets were isolated using the collagenase digestion technique and transplanted into the splenic parenchyma. The recipients were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: group A (control group) had no immunosuppression; group B received cyclosporine (CsA) (5 mg/kg); group C received mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (20 mg/kg). The animals were killed on the 12th d. Blood and grafted tissues were obtained for laboratory and histological assessment.


RESULTS
Median allograft survival was significantly higher in the two therapy groups than that in the controls (10 and 12 d for CsA and MMF respectively vs 0 d for the control group, P<0.01). No difference in allograft survival between the CsA and MMF groups was found. However, MMF had less renal and hepatic toxicity and allowed weight gain.


CONCLUSIONS
Monotherapy with MMF for immunosuppression was safe in an experimental model of islet allotransplantation and was equally effective with cyclosporine, with less toxicity.
Fotiadis
Constantin
C
3rd Department of Surgery, Athens University Medical School, 12 Diligiani str, 14561 Athens, Greece. costfot@yahoo.gr
Xekouki
Paraskevi
P
Papalois
Apostolos E
AE
Antonakis
Pantelis T
PT
Sfiniadakis
Ioannis
I
Flogeras
Dimitrios
D
Karampela
Eleutheria
E
Zografos
George
G
D000818:Animals; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000601:surgery*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation; D008297:Male; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid