Construction of modified rat orthotopic models of renal transplantation

Bo ZHANG; Gang LONG; Hongbo WANG; Ximo WANG

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Rat model of renal transplantation is the best way for studying human rejection following renal transplantation. However, the utilization of this model is limited due to refined surgical technique.

OBJECTIVE:

To explore a microsurgery operation method for constructing a stable, reliable orthotopic renal transplantation model.DESIGN, TIME AND

SETTING:

The animal observation experiment was performed at the animal laboratory of Tianjin Union Medicine Centre from September to November 2008.MATERIALS A total of 40 SD rats, weighing 250-300 g, were medially adopted as donators and recipients.

METHODS:

The renal vessels were separated by blunt separation. The kidneys of donators were infused, removed and conserved at low temperature. To the recipients, the left kidney was removed, and renal blood vessel was anastomosed by ext-ext anastomosis and reconstructed urinary passage by implanting ureter into bladder. 6-point acupuncture was used to suture wound. MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

The rationality and the authenticity of this operation were evaluated through analyzing the operative time, postoperative death rate and the cause of death.

RESULTS:

The total time of operation was (150±17) min, with warm ischemia time of (15±2) s and (55±5) min cold ischemia time. Three rats died at the first week after operation, which caused by anesthetic accident, stomatorrhagia and ureterostenoma. The achievement ratio of operation was 85%. At day 8 after operation, exploratory laparotomy of survived rats showed that the transplanted kidney was recovered well without embolism or stenosis at the stoma.

CONCLUSION:

An orthotopic renal transplantation model of rat is constructed by ext-ext anastomosis and reconstructed urinary passage by implanting ureter into bladder.