| Abstract: | Either cyclosporine (CsA) or fluocinolone acetonide (FA) may prolong the survival of skin allografts. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of combination of these two treatments. BUF rat skin was transplanted to LEW rat. The mean survival time (MST) of control grafts was 9.9 days. In rats fed low dose CsA (2.5 or 5mg/kg/day, blood CsA 221 or 631 micrograms/ml), the MST were 16.0 days. When FA with or without CsA topically applied only, their MST were 22.7 or 24.1 days. If topical application of CsA + FA in combination with low dose oral CsA, the grafts survived indefinitely when the treatment was continued (100 days). The synergistic effect of CsA and topical FA is significant and provides a potential safe means for prolonging skin allograft survival following burn injury. |
