Changes in graft blood flow early after syngeneic rat pancreas-duodenum transplantation

Organ transplantation is associated with changes in graft blood flow, both acutely caused by reperfusion associated phenomena, and chronically due to e.g. denervation. The aim of the study was to investigate regional blood flow early after implantation of a syngeneic pancreas-duodenum transplant in rats, i.e. during reperfusion. Warm ischemia time was 1-2 min and cold ischemia 90 min. Blood flow values were measured with coloured microspheres both 10 and 30 min after implantation in transplanted rats, and at one time point in control rats. A marked decrease in the blood perfusion of the transplanted duodenum compared to the endogenous intestine was seen at both 10 and 30 min. Total graft pancreatic blood flow was increased both 10 and 30 min after implantation, whilst islet blood flow remained unchanged compared to the endogenous gland. We conclude that the blood perfusion of the graft is markedly changed in the immediate post-transplantation period, presumably due to reperfusion. However, islet blood perfusion remains constant, suggesting that islet vasculature is less sensitive to changes induced by the implantation.