Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Orthotopic Kidney Auto-Transplantation in a Porcine Model Using 24 Hours Organ Preservation And Continuous Telemetry
Published on: August 21, 2020
Autologous transplantation of ischemically injured kidneys in pigs
Maarten G Snoeijs1, Robert A Matthijsen, Saskia Seeldrayers
1Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands. m.snoeijs@mumc.nl
Background:
Expansion of the organ donor pool can be obtained through novel interventions attenuating ischemic acute kidney injury, which will enable the use of kidneys that suffered prolonged ischemia. In basic science, new therapeutic targets are identified that should be tested in a relevant large animal model before use in human kidney transplantation.
Materials And Methods:
The current paper provides a detailed description of the technique of autologous transplantation of ischemically injured kidneys in pigs with special emphasis on perioperative care.
Results:
The animal model was validated by showing that renal function after transplantation was proportional to the duration of warm ischemia before organ recovery. The extent of renal dysfunction was reproducible following kidney transplantations with the same warm ischemia time.
Conclusions:
Our experience may reduce the learning curves of other research groups taking an interest in the model and improve preclinical testing of novel interventions that modulate renal ischemia and reperfusion injury in kidney transplantation.
Insights
This study details a pig model for transplanting kidneys with ischemic acute kidney injury. The model shows renal function correlates with warm ischemia time, aiding preclinical testing of new kidney transplant therapies.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation immunology
- Nephrology
- Surgical innovation
Background:
- Expanding the organ donor pool is crucial for kidney transplantation.
- Ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI) limits the usability of donor kidneys.
- Preclinical models are needed to test interventions for renal ischemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the technique for autologous transplantation of ischemically injured kidneys in pigs.
- To establish a large animal model for studying interventions in kidney transplantation.
- To validate a model for assessing renal function after warm ischemia.
Main Methods:
- Detailed description of the surgical technique for autologous kidney transplantation in pigs.
- Emphasis on perioperative care protocols for the animal model.
- Utilized warm ischemia time as a variable to assess kidney injury.
Main Results:
- Renal function post-transplantation was directly proportional to the duration of warm ischemia.
- The model demonstrated reproducible renal dysfunction based on consistent warm ischemia times.
- Validated the pig model for studying the effects of ischemia on kidney allografts.
Conclusions:
- The described pig model facilitates preclinical testing of novel therapies for renal ischemia.
- This model can reduce learning curves for researchers investigating kidney transplantation interventions.
- Improves the evaluation of treatments targeting renal ischemia and reperfusion injury.
