Update on sequential isologous rat organ transplantation: Pancreaticoduodenal and kidney transplantations

This periodic report includes intermittent results of consecutive pancreati coduodenal (Pd) and kidney (Kt) transplants in inbred rats and results on d ouble kidney transplants that did not follow sequential transplant protocol . Eight 24-month-old Lewis pancreas, kidney, and aorta served histological controls showing normal histological architecture with no atherosclerosis d eveloped in the aorta. Thirty-four month old pancreas and thirty-two month old kidneys, which resided in young hosts for at least three occasions, app eared as youthful Pd and Kt grafts. They show normal histological appearanc e for more than the expected life span of a Lewis rat. The fact that not on ly pancreases but also kidneys outlived their host leads to the study of ot her different organs' viability as aged valuable grafts. Nevertheless, the threats by the development of atherosclerosis in graft-associated aortas re sulted in slow progression of the follow-ups. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.