EFFECT OF OMENTAL ANGIOGENIC LIPID FACTOR ON REVASCULARIZATION OF AUTOTRANSPLANTED SPLEEN IN DOGS

Since the turn of the century, studies have been carried out showing t hat the omentum contains a factor which enhances revascularization of ischemic tissues, This study was conducted for a period of 3 months an d was designed to evaluate the effect of an omental lipid fraction on neovascularization of autotransplanted spleen chips in dogs, Twelve do gs underwent splenectomy and autotransplantation of 5 splenic chips in to an omental pouch, In 4 dogs, the splenic chips were immersed in ome ntal angiogenic lipid factor (OAF), while on another 3 dogs, an intram uscular injection of 4 cm(3) of OAF was given each day for 7 days post operatively, a further 4 dogs were not given any of the above treatmen ts (control group), Serial angiographies and histologic examinations d emonstrated better neovascularization and regeneration of the transpla nted spleen in the dogs from the immersion plus injection group. These data suggest that the omental lipid fraction contains a factor which induces a better regeneration of splenic transplants.