The use of chondroitin sulfate in prolonging survival of adult skin allografts

Abstract

The placenta supplies immunologic protection for the fetus. Chondroitin sulfate, which is in trophoblastic cells in the placenta, and its immunosuppressive effects were investigated in regard to survival of skin allografts. Heparin, an antithrombogenic agent like chondroitin sulfate, showed its immunosuppressive capability and was used as a control agent. CBA mice and C57 mice served as skin allograft models, with groups divided into controls; heparin high and low dosage groups; and chondroitin sulfate high and low dosage groups. Heparin and chondroitin sulfate were given 2–6 hours postgrafting and daily till total slough of the graft or until death of the animal. The control allografts sloughed as predicted after an average of 7±3 days but in the high-dosage group 22±2 days.