| Research Abstract |
We examined whether the PCNA labeling index (LI) of crypts in the graft mucosa of rat bowel transplantation model could be an indicator of acute rejection. The effect of ischemia and reperfusion injury on this index was also analyzed. Specimens of isografts (from LEW to LEW rat) were taken after 2 hours of ischemia and 1hour following subsequent reperfusion. Isografts and allografts (from BN to LEW) were resected on day 1, 3, 5 and 7 following transplantation. Specimens were prepared for routine HE staining and PCNA-immunohistochemistry. In HE staining, the mucosal damage after ischemia was greater than that after reperfusion. After ischemia, the PCNA-LI decreased significantly compared with that of the normal controls, and it still remained low after reperfusion, while becoming normalized on the 1st postoperative day. The villi of the allografts became slightly edematous on the 5th postoperative day, and flattened villi were observed on the 7th day. Till the 3rd postoperative day, the PCNA-LI of both groups remained at normal levels. On the 5th postoperative day, however, the PCNA-LI of the allografts began to decrease and it was lower than that of the isografts till the 7th postoperative day. These results indicate that ischemia and reperfusion are reflected by the PCNA-LI, and that the changes in the PCNA-LI correspond with HE findings in acute rejection.
|
