Prolongation of rat liver graft survival by splenectomy combined with low dose FK506 therapy.

Abstract

The effects of low dose FK506 therapy (0.1 mg/ kg/day x 1 day) on graft survivals were analyzed, and the feasibility of splenectomy was assessed. ACI strain liver grafts were orthotopically implanted into LEW male rat recipients. In the control group, the survival period was 10.4 +/- 1.4 days. In the group treated with splenectomy, the survival period was 13.4 +/- 2.0 days. In the groups with low dose FK506 therapy, the survival periods were 22.7 +/- 6.7 and 39.7 +/- 6.3 days with or without splenectomy, respectively. Rats in the group with average dose FK506 (1.0 mg/kg/day x 7 days) survived more than 100 days. In summary, the effect of low dose FK506 therapy was relatively limited. Splenectomy by itself was marginally effective; however, this effect was enhanced when combined with low dose FK506 therapy.