The peripheral nerve allograft: an assessment of regeneration in the immunosuppressed host

Regeneration across the nerve allograft in the immunosuppressed host was assessed using electrical and histologic parameters. The Lewis rat (RTIl) served as the recipient animal, and ACI rats (RTIa) provided the donor nerve allografts. Hydrocortisone and azathioprine were used in various dose schedules as the immunosuppressive agents. Animals were immunosuppressed for either 30 or 100 days. Histologic and electrophysiologic measurements of nerve regeneration were assessed at 30, 100, and 180 days. The degree of nerve regeneration was similar in all experimental groups. Short-term, low-dose immunosuppression was as successful as longer-term, higher-dose immunosuppression therapy. The degree of nerve regeneration in all experimental groups was significantly better than that in the fresh, untreated nerve allograft control group (Lewis/ACI) but was not as good as that seen in the autograft control group (Lewis/Lewis).