[Revascularization of peripheral nerve transplants. Stereomicroangiographic evaluation of revascularization in allogeneic transplants, allogeneic transplants with cyclosporin A therapy and autologous transplants]. / Revaskularisierung peripherer Nerventransplantate. Stereomikroangiographische Beurteilung der Revaskularisierung bei allogenen Transplantaten, allogenen Transplantaten unter Cyclosporin A-Therapie und autologen Transplantaten.

Allogeneic nerve grafts of the sciatic nerve longer than 3 cm were transplanted between August- and Wistar rats. One group of animals were treated with 17 mg/kg body weight Cyclosporine A from day 1-28. Autologous nerves served as controls. At various postoperative days contact microangiography, stereoangiography, microdensitometry and histology were performed. Allogeneic untreated grafts were rejected at day 7. Undisturbed neovascularisation was only seen in autografts. In Cyclosporine A treated rats a gradually reduced revascularisation could be observed until day 90.

[Cellular mechanisms in graft rejection of peripheral nerve transplants]. / Zelluläre Mechanismen bei der Abstossungsreaktion peripherer Nerventransplantate.

Allogeneic nerve specimens (sciatic nerve) were transplanted in rats. Cyclosporin A was used as an immunosuppressive agent. Under this treatment reinnervation occurred. Without treatment, nerve grafts were rejected. In order to monitor the acute cellular rejection, the nerve grafts were surrounded by a silicon tube. The perineural exudate and the mononuclear cells contained in it were aspirated at three day intervals by fine needle aspiration. Exact analysis of the mononuclear cells involved in the rejection mechanism and their degree of activation could in future provide a tool that allows control of nerve graft rejection and estimation of the effect of immunosuppressive treatment.