Emerging Issues in Hepatitis C Virus-Positive Liver and Kidney Transplant Recipients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health care issue in liver and kidney transplantation. Besides negatively affecting both patient and graft survival, HCV is associated with a heightened risk for new onset diabetes mellitus (NODM). The mechanisms underlying the diabetogenicity of HCV are complex but are likely to involve insulin resistance caused by inhibitory actions of the virus on insulin regulatory pathways in the liver. The resultant glucose dysregulation is an important determinant of increased morbidity and mortality in liver and kidney recipients. This review highlights the concerns for outcomes in HCV-positive liver and kidney transplant patients with particular focus on the interrelationship between hepatitis C and diabetes. Data about the potential role of calcineurin inhibitors, corticosteroids and mycophenolate mofetil in HCV infection and HCV-associated NODM will also be discussed.     

Preservation of Bile Ductules Mitigates Bile Duct Loss

The finer branches of the biliary tree (FBBT) contain a regenerative compartment. We hypothesized that preservation of the FBBT together with its microvasculature will lead to recovery of biliary damage and prolonged preservation of bile ductules during the development of chronic liver allograft rejection. The interlobular bile ducts, portal bile ductules and extraportal biliary cells with and without microvessels were studied in sequential biopsies in five patients who fulfilled the Banff criteria of early chronic rejection (CR) (imminence group). Biopsies of CR patients (n = 12) served as controls. Biopsies were double immunostained with CD34 (microvessels) and cytokeratin 7 (biliary structures). Proliferation and proangiogenic activity were assessed with Ki67 and VEGF-A immunostaining. Severe damage of bile ducts in the imminence group did not progress to significant bile duct loss. This was associated with a high proliferative activity in all biliary structures and preservation of the microvascular compartment. VEGF-A expression was increased in all but the reperfusion biopsies. In conclusion, both regenerative activity of the FBBT and an intact microvascular compartment are associated with less damage of the biliary tree and could therefore be prerequisites for biliary regeneration.     

Tacrolimus Combined with Two Different Dosages of Sirolimus in Kidney Transplantation: Results of a Multicenter Study

Tacrolimus combined with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an effective regimen in kidney transplantation. This study compared the efficacy of combining tacrolimus and two different dosages of sirolimus with an established tacrolimus-MMF regimen. Each day in addition to tacrolimus, 325 patients received 2 mg sirolimus (TAC-SRL2 mg), 325 patients received 0.5 mg sirolimus (TAC-SRL0.5 mg) and 327 patients 1 g MMF (TAC-MMF). The initial tacrolimus dose was 0.2 mg/kg/day. Sirolimus patients received loading doses of 6 or 1.5 mg, and daily doses of 2 or 0.5 mg thereafter. Steroid administration was identical for all groups. The incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection was lower in the TAC-SRL2 mg group (15.7%) compared with the TAC-SRL0.5 mg (25.2%, p = 0.003) and the TAC-MMF groups (22.3%, p = 0.036). Six-month graft survival was 91.0% (TAC-SRL2 mg), 92.6% (TAC-SRL0.5 mg) and 92.4% (TAC-MMF); the respective values for patient survival were 98.1%, 97.8% and 97.9%. Thirty-four patients (10.5%), 19 patients (5.8%) and 16 patients (4.9%) in the TAC-SRL2 mg, TAC-SRL0.5 mg and TAC-MMF groups, respectively, discontinued the study because of adverse events. Hyperlipemia was reported more often in the TAC-SRL2 mg group (24.0%) compared with 19.4% (TAC-SRL0.5 mg) and 11.0% (TAC-MMF; p < 0.05). Combining 2 mg sirolimus/day with tacrolimus results in lower rates of acute rejection, but a higher incidence of adverse events.     

树枝状静脉移植在手部创伤中的应用

目的探讨手掌严重碾挫伤应用血管移植手术方法的选择。方法对12例手掌碾挫伤伴血管损伤的患者，采用树枝状浅表静脉倒转后多级移植修复缺损的手掌动脉，同时对缺损皮肤一期行植皮或皮瓣修复。结果术后12例创面全部Ⅰ期愈合，手指血循环好。术后随访3～22个月，手功能评定： 优5例，良4例，可2例，差1例，优良率为75％。手掌恢复了良好的外形和功能，能完成手指的捏、握、对掌和对指功能。结论对严重的手掌毁损伤，利用树枝状静脉移植修复缺损的血管，能获得较好的手功能和外形。     

微囊化异种甲状旁腺组织移植的研究

目的探讨微囊化异种甲状旁腺(PTG)组织移植对Wistar大鼠甲状旁腺功能低下的治疗作用及微囊的通透性。方法 40只去甲状旁腺Wistar大鼠随机分为微囊组、非微囊组、空囊组、空白对照组。用海藻酸-钡交联微囊包裹兔甲状旁腺组织,移植至Wistar大鼠肾包囊。移植后每隔2周取血测血钙,移植后第16周取移植物进行透射电镜检查及T淋巴细胞、大鼠IgG抗体的免疫组织化学染色。结果微囊组移植后第4周血清钙由(1．62±0．04)mmol／L恢复至正常水平 (2．2～2．6)mmol／L,9例维持至观察期结束(P<0．01),非微囊组、空囊组及空白对照组血清钙差异无统计学意义(P>0．05)。第16周取出移植物检测显示移植物活性良好,微囊周围可见较多T 淋巴细胞浸润,囊壁及囊内IgG抗体染色阳性。结论海藻酸-钡交联微囊可对甲状旁腺组织起到有效的保护作用,使甲状旁腺组织较长时间存活并发挥正常功能。但海藻酸-钡交联微囊并未减轻受体免疫排斥反应的激活且未有效的免疫隔离IgG抗体。     

Xenogeneic bone marrow transplantation: II. Porcine-specific growth factors enhance porcine bone marrow engraftment in an in vitro primate microenvironment

Abstract: Establishment of mixed bone marrow chimerism in pig-to-primate transplantation, as a means of inducing specific immune tolerance, will require that both immune and nonimmune barriers be overcome. As a preliminary step in evaluating nonimmune barriers in this system, we have developed an in vitro model of engraftment in which long-term culture of porcine bone marrow-derived hematopoietic cells is supported on preformed primate bone marrow stromal layers. In the absence of cytokine supplementation, primate stromal cells were unable to support long-term porcine hematopoiesis in these cultures. Supplementation with porcine Steel Factor was required for long-term maintenance of hematopoietic progenitor cell content and total hematopoietic activity. Addition of porcine IL-3, in combination with porcine Steel Factor, increased long-term progenitor cell content and hematopoietic activity on primate stroma to levels comparable to that obtained in cultures on porcine stroma. The combination of porcine GM-CSF and Steel Factor increased progenitor cell content and hematopoietic activity early in the cultures, but had little effect in long-term cultures. The Steel Factor and IL-3 combination was species-specific in its action in these cultures, as the corresponding human cytokines were unable to effectively support long-term porcine hematopoiesis. Likewise, the combination of porcine cytokines had only minimal effects on long-term bone marrow culture of primate CD34+ cells I on primate stroma.     

Older donors and kidney transplantation

Reluctance to use kidneys from older donors (>50 years of age) is based on reports of inferior results. We reviewed our experience with 45 kidneys transplanted from older donors. Primary nonfunction, immediate graft function, and 1-, 2- and 3-year graft survival rates were similar to those obtained with kidneys transplanted from donors aged between 20 and 40 years. Renal function at 1 year (as measured by serum creatinine) was poorer in kidneys from older donors. No beneficial effect with respect to graft survival was noted with cyclosporin therapy compared to conventional immunosuppression; however, the numbers are small. We conclude that kidneys from older donors are a valuable source for transplantation.     

Apparently increased trough levels of tacrolimus caused by acute infantile diarrhea in two infants with biliary atresia after liver transplantation

Two infants with biliary atresia who exhibited three-fold increased trough levels of tacrolimus and required reduced doses during episodes of acute infantile diarrhea within 5 months of liver transplantation are described. The cause of the increase was not explained simply by hemoconcentration as a result of significant loss of extracellular fluid during these episodes. It does highlight an important issue: that of the continuing need to carefully monitor the trough levels of tacrolimus in such infants.     

己酮可可碱预处理对大鼠供肝冷缺血损伤影响的实验研究

目的　探讨已酮可可碱预处理供者及肝脏对供肝冷缺血损伤的影响。方法　Wistar大鼠按处理方法的不同分为 4组 :对照组、供者预处理组 (实验 1组 )、供肝预处理组 (实验 2组 )、供者及供肝联合预处理组 (实验 3组 ) ,预处理使用己酮可可碱。各组动物均在供肝冷保存 6h后行原位肝移植 ,门静脉血流恢复后第 30min、3h及 2 4h取门静脉血测定肿瘤坏死因子 (TNF α)、丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶 (AST)及谷胱甘肽S转移酶 (GST)的水平。结果　门静脉复流后 30min、3h时血清TNF α水平 ,各实验组明显低于对照组 ,实验 3组显著低于实验 1组及实验 2组 (P <0 .0 5) ;30min及 3h时血清GST水平 ,各实验组明显低于对照组 (P <0 .0 5) ,实验 3组显著低于实验 1组及实验 2组 (P <0 .0 5) ;30min及 3h时血清ALT水平 ,各实验组明显低于对照组 ,实验 3组显著低于实验1组及实验 2组 (P <0 .0 5) ;2 4h时前述各指标各实验组明显低于对照组 ,实验 3组显著低于实验 2组 (P <0 .0 5) ;30min时血清AST水平 ,各实验组明显低于对照组 ,实验 3组显著低于实验 1组及实验 2组 (P <0 .0 5)。结论　己酮可可碱预处理对供肝的冷缺血再灌注损伤有一定的保护作用     

狗下颌骨缺损带与不带血管的骨块游离移植

用犬进行带血管与不带血管的游离骨瓣移植修复下颁骨缺损,观察其骨愈合过程的差异,经99mTC扫描,X线摄片及血管造影,病理组织学等检查,结果表明:移植骨在3cm长的情况下,带与不带血管移植愈合过程基本相似,供骨与受骨均有成骨作用,与骨折后通过骨痂愈合过程相类似。