Heterotopic rat heart transplantation (Lewis to F344): early ICAM-1 expression after 8 hours of cold ischemia.

Background: Primary graft dysfunction is a still poorly understood complication after cardiac transplantation. Ischemia/reperfusion injury contributes to different disorders resulting in impaired graft function.

Methods: In a heterotopic rat heart transplantation model we extended graft ischemic time up to 8 hours.

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy after cardiac transplantation and hormone therapy: positive effects?

Background: There is a great deal of controversy surrounding the issue of hormone replacement therapy after transplantation. The question whether or not this therapy has effects in cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), the Achilles heel of cardiac transplantation or other unique aspects of allograft function is still unknown.

Methods: We investigated the long-term effect of 17beta-estradiol as well as phytoestrogen Coumestrol, a synthetically produced phytoestrogen, on the development of CAV and the degree of fibrosis in an ovariectomized female heterotopic chronic allograft model (LEW-F344).

Formation of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal protein adducts in the ischemic rat heart after transplantation.

Background: Free radicals formed during ischemia and reperfusion can lead to lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the formation of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), one of the most toxic products of LPO. Using a heterotopic rat heart transplantation model we investigated endogenous 4-HNE formation as a response to cold storage of the transplant and warm blood reperfusion in the recipient.

Methods: Lewis rat hearts were subjected to 30, 240 or 480 minutes of 4 degrees C cold ischemia in Bretschneider cardioplegic solution without or with transplantation and 240-minute reperfusion in F344 recipients.

Heterotopic rat heart transplantation: severe loss of glutathione in 8-hour ischemic hearts.

Background: Tissue damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed during ischemia/reperfusion seems to be an important risk factor in the failure of transplanted hearts. Although endogenous anti-oxidants protect the myocardium against free radical attack under physiologic conditions, their capacity may become limited during severe oxidative stress. Thus, we investigated the effect of 8-hour cold ischemia on the myocardial anti-oxidative defense system in a heterotopic rat heart transplantation model.