Lack of complex I is associated with oncocytic thyroid tumours.

Oncocytic tumours are characterised by hyperproliferation of mitochondria. We immunohistochemically analysed all enzymes of the oxidative phosphorylation system in 19 oncocytic thyroid tumours. A specific lack of complex I was detected, which was expressed at <5% of the level determined in surrounding non-cancerous tissue.

Pancreatic autotransplantation in the pig: variations in epigastric arterial blood supply.

A major problem in pancreatic autotransplantation is the vascular supply of the left segment, which serves as the graft. We therefore examined the arterial blood supply of the epigastric organs in 36 German landrace pigs. In 19 pigs (anatomical variation 1) there was a pancreatic branch of the splenic artery supplying the left segment. After splenectomy the splenic artery could be used as the graft-supplying vessel. In 14 pigs (anatomical variation 2) the arterial branch for the left segment was the first branch out of the hepatic artery distal to the coeliac trunk. In these cases a splenohepatic bypass was performed to ensure delivery of the blood to the epigastric organs. Thereafter, the proximal part of the hepatic artery could be used as the vessel supplying the graft. The left segment could not be used for autotransplantation in 3 pigs (anatomical variation 3) because of the atypical vascular supply. During the 6-month observation period, no malfunction of the epigastric organs was evident.

A model for determining the influence of hepatic uptake of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants in the pig.

Hepatic uptake and distribution of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants in pigs was investigated. A portocaval shunt preparation enabled the determination of the pharmacodynamics of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants both during temporary liver exclusion and intraportal injection in the same animal. To demonstrate the validity of the model in pigs, in a pilot study the influence of hepatic uptake on neuromuscular blockade by pancuronium (n = 3) and its congener Org 6368 (n = 3) was determined. Thereafter, the influence of hepatic uptake on neuromuscular blockade by gallamine (3.4 mg/kg, n = 5), Org 6368 (0.3 mg/kg, n = 5), and vecuronium (0.1 mg/kg, n = 4 and 0.15 mg/kg, n = 5) was studied in pigs anesthetized with pentobarbital. Each pig received one relaxant, which was injected four consecutive times under different conditions. The first injection was into the jugular vein (iv) the second into the portal vein, the third was iv while the liver was excluded for 10 min and the fourth was iv (control). After each injection the onset time, intensity, recovery rate, and total duration of neuromuscular blockade were measured. These variables were compared between the four injections for each relaxant. In the pilot study the influence of hepatic uptake on neuromuscular blockade was similar for pancuronium and Org 6368. For gallamine the onset time, intensity, recovery rate, and duration of action were similar after all four injections. For Org 6368 the variables of neuromuscular blockade were similar after iv and intraportal injection, but exclusion of the liver prolonged the neuromuscular block.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of a passive venous bypass on cardiovascular and acid-base balance variables during liver transplantations in pigs.

The anhepatic phase of liver transplantation is accompanied by numerous hemodynamic and metabolic sequelae. The effects of a passive venous bypass on cardiovascular and metabolic variables during the anhepatic phase of orthotopic liver grafting was investigated in 15 pigs (group I) and compared with 10 pigs (group II) without a shunt. In a further five pigs (group III), after total vascular exclusion of the liver, an anhepatic state similar to the anhepatic phase of orthotopic liver transplantation was simulated. The resulting cardiovascular effects in group III were measured first without a shunt and afterwards under the conditions of a passive portojugular shunt. During the anhepatic phase, nonshunted animals required 113% more fluid replacement and 122% more sodium bicarbonate, compared to shunted animals, in order to keep pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and pH in the same range. The end-tidal PCO2 decreased twice as much in nonshunted pigs. The MAP dropped from 86 +/- 6 mmHg to 46 +/- 3 mmHg in experiments without a passive venous bypass, compared to a decrease from 88 +/- 5 mmHg to only 69 +/- 4 mmHg when a passive porto-jugular shunt was used. Concomitantly, a compensatory increase of HR, SVR, and PVR was observed, more pronounced in the nonshunted group. Although the survival after experimental orthotopic liver transplantation was identical in both groups, a passive venous bypass is of great benefit during the anhepatic phase of liver transplantation as regards the cardiovascular and metabolic variables.

Prolongation of graft survival in allogeneic pancreas and liver transplantation by (-)15-deoxyspergualin.

(-)15-Deoxyspergualin, originally discovered as an antitumoral drug, was shown to have different immunosuppressive effects, when pancreas and orthotopic allogeneic liver transplantations in rats were compared. In the strong rejection model dark agouti----Lewis (RT1a----RT1(1)) we could only show a minor immunosuppressive effect, as far as pancreaticoduodenal and pancreas segment transplantations are concerned: graft survival was prolonged by 9 days in pancreas segment allografts (p less than 0.01) and by 6 days in pancreaticoduodenal allografts (p less than 0.01), when recipients were treated by ten doses of 2.5 mg/kg deoxyspergualin. Pretreatment of recipients with 15-deoxyspergualin was not efficient. On the contrary, in orthotopic liver transplantation done by the cuff technique, a remarkable prolongation of allograft survival could be demonstrated: about half of the animals showed prolongation of allograft survival for more than 80 days, compared with about 11 days in the control group (p less than 0.01). The substance is considered to be valuable for clinical application.

Orthotopic liver allografts in the rat. The influence of strain combination on the fate of the graft.

This report describes the fate of orthotopic liver allografts performed in 22 donor/recipient strain combinations. Of these, 2 were major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-congenic, 18 were fully allogeneic, and 2 were non-RT1 incompatible combinations considered to differ only in minor transplantation antigens. The fate of fully allogeneic liver grafts was strictly dependent on the donor/recipient strain combination, and survival times fell into three nonoverlapping groups corresponding to acute rejection (8-21 days), delayed rejection (28-63 days), and prolonged survival (greater than 100 days). Serial levels of recipient serum enzymes also fell into groups corresponding to the fate of the graft. In 7 fully allogeneic donor/recipient combinations, liver grafts showed very prolonged survival. In five combinations they were rejected almost as quickly as kidney or heart grafts. In the two MHC congenic combinations, liver grafts survived for prolonged periods. In the non-RT1-incompatible combinations, unexpectedly, PVG livers were rejected by AUG recipients. MHC-incompatible liver grafts of a given strain survived for long periods or were rejected (in acute or delayed fashion) depending on the recipient strain. This behavior is unique to liver amongst commonly transplanted vascularized organs, and the fate of the graft clearly indicates strain-dependent levels of recipient responsiveness to defined transplantation antigens. Independent evidence supporting this conclusion is discussed. Apparently anomalous results of liver grafting in certain strain combinations are briefly considered.

[Microsurgical autotransplantation of cryptorchism]. / Mikrochirurgische Autotransplantation eines Bauchhodens.

An intra-abdominally located testicle was brought into the scrotum as a free transplant in a 13 year-old boy by microsurgery as a second surgical intervention. This procedure is regarded as an alternative compared to the high ligature of the spermatic vessels (Fowler), a two staged-orchiopexy and/or eventually orchidectomy.

Histopathology of the cryptorchid testis.

Morphologic studies of cryptorchid testes do not show any pathologic changes other than one of malpositioning within the first year of life. Beginning with the third year of life histologic alterations become apparent in all structures. There is a marked increase in the number of mitochondria, which later degenerate and develop vacuoles. The endoplasmic reticulum loses its ribosomes almost completely. An enlargement of the perinuclear space develops between the lamellae of the nuclear membrane in the Sertoli cells and the spermatogonia. Light microscopy reveals a decrease in the number of spermatogonia and lack of development of the seminiferous tubules. The tunica propria is widened by a growing number of collagenous fibers, which become arranged in bundles.

[Comparative investigations of different techniques for vasovasostomies (author's transl)]. / Vergleichende Untersuchungen verschiedener experimenteller Techniken zur Vasovasostomie.

Different techniques for reanastomosing the dissected vas deferens with and without an intraluminal splint were investigated in a rat model. The operative results were established by mating with fertile females. Statistically there was no significant difference in the frequency of pregnancy, although the splintless technique seems to have been more successful.

PIP: Different techniques for reanastomosing the dissected vas deferens with and without an intraluminal splint were investigated in a rat model. Operative results were established by mating with fertile females. Statistically, there was no significant difference in the frequency of pregnancy, although the splintless technique seems to have been more successful. (author's)

[Reconstruction of the bile ducts in the rat using choledocho-choledochostomy over a lost drain. Studies on an autologous model and orthotopic liver transplantation]. / Die Gallengangsrekonstruktion bei der Ratte durch Choledocho-Choledochostomie über einen verlorenen Drain. Untersuchungen bei einem autologen Modell und bei der orthotopen Lebertransplantation.

Four different techniques for reconstruction of the bile drainage have been employed in an autologous model. Biochemical liver parameters e. g. Bilirubin, AP, GPT and GOT, cholangiography and histology proved the superiority of our method of an intraductal tubus technique (lost drain method). The covering of the bile duct with the mobilised greater omentum seems to be important for a rapid revascularisation. The superiority of our method was proven in orthotopic liver isografting as well.

Postoperative deaths in children with portal hypertension.

69 children suffering from portal hypertension have been analysed. 5 of these patients died following shunt surgery, 2 after palliative surgery and 2 died in a state of haemorrhagic shock before any treatment could be commenced. In all those patients who died following shunt surgery, thrombosis in some part of the portal vein was found at post mortem. This led to partial liver necrosis.

[Orthotopic liver transplantation in rats. Prolonging of survival time of allotransplants using cyclosporin A in an acute rejection model]. / Orthotope Lebertransplantation bei der Ratte. Verlängerung der Uberlebenszeit von Allotransplantaten durch Cyclosporin A in einem starken Abstossungsmodell.

Livers from inbred DA rats were transplanted orthotopically into inbred BN rats. Within 15 days all animals died due to rejection of the transplant. However, when rats were treated with Cyclosporin A (four different regimens) they survived for at least 60 days, even if therapy was withdrawn at day 28. It could be shown that the histologic changes in the graft stood in an inverse relationship to the extent of immunosuppressive therapy.