In vitro studies done on human proximal tubular epithelial cells showed no direct cytotoxicity of cyclosporine A. The 15-year results of an open randomized trial comparing cyclosporine withdrawal... Show moreIn vitro studies done on human proximal tubular epithelial cells showed no direct cytotoxicity of cyclosporine A. The 15-year results of an open randomized trial comparing cyclosporine withdrawal and conversion to azathioprine with continued cyclosporine treatment after kidney allograft transplantation are presented. The results show that allograft function is better preserved after conversion and that a lower incidence of chronic allograft nephropathy is reported. Chronic kidney allograft rejection elicits a more pronounced fibrotic response than does chronic cyclosporine nephrotoxicity. During chronic cyclosporine nephrotoxicity collagen III and IV are preferentially accumulated in the tubulointerstitium. Early increases in the deposition of collagen I, with collagen III and IV, were more specific for CR. The cortical mRNA levels of laminin beta 2 and TGF-beta 1 are higher in chronic cyclosporine nephrotoxicity than in chronic allograft rejection and can be used to discriminate between these two entities. Show less
Pancreatic islet transplantation by a new method is introduced here : the isolation of islets in an organ preservation solution, the University of Wisconsin solution. A new concept allowing for the... Show morePancreatic islet transplantation by a new method is introduced here : the isolation of islets in an organ preservation solution, the University of Wisconsin solution. A new concept allowing for the first time large-scale isolation and transplantation of consistently near 100% pure islets of Langerhans in a preclinical dog model with fasting normoglycemia up to 3 years posttransplant. Detailed metabolic studies demonstrated normal insulin levels after meals with preservation of gut hormone action stimulating insulin secretion at the mild hyperglycemia after meals. The introduction of the University of Wisconsin solution organ preservation solution for islet isolation at the start of these studies in 1989 is a new concept … and has been shown by now in 2022 , world-wide , to make the future of islet isolation and transplantation methods for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Show less
