An improved method for rat intubation and thymectomy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

ABSTRACT

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Thymokidney has been reported as an approach for a vascularized thymus for transplantation to induce donor specific tolerance. A completely thymectomized model which ensures that the obtained thymus is not injured has not been developed yet and it would be useful for evaluating autologous thymokidney function in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adult Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 150 - 300 g (n = 30) underwent non-invasive intubation with the assistance of an improved self-made wedge-shaped cannula made from a 2-ml plastic syringe and transillumination from the anterior tracheal area by an operation spotlight. The rats then received a thoracotomy while their breathing was supported by a small animal ventilator, and both lobes of the thymus were entirely extirpated under a 10× microscope. The postoperative survival rate of the rats was recorded, and changes in the T-cell reservoir from 9 of 30 rats within 21 days after surgery were monitored using flow cytometry. The complete thymectomy rate was confirmed by autopsy and histological examination on 21 days post-operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The postoperative survival rate of rats was 100%. The exsected thymus was free of injury and the rate of complete thymectomy was 100%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This model has a stable survival rate and complete thymectomy is able to be achieved. The obtained thymus tissue is free of injury and can be used for transplantation.</p>