[Multiple abdominal organ transplantation in swine using FK-506]

Multiple abdominal organs including the liver, pancreas, stomach, and small and large intestine were allografted in pigs receiving intramuscular injections of FK-506 (0.1, 0.15, 0.3, 0.4mg/kg/day). I observed rejection of the liver, and small and large intestine after 7 days post-transplantation in the untreated group. However, I did not observe rejection in all treated groups. The mean survival of the treated group (17.5, 8.5, 14, 10 days) was not significantly longer than that of the untreated group (10.8 days). Lymphocyte depletion and atrophy of the germinal center in the mediastinal lymph node were noted in the untreated group after 11 days post-transplantation, however, these were not noted in the treated groups. The histological improvement in animals receiving FK-506 was consistent with both suppression of rejection and the graft versus host reaction. I conclude that FK-506 is useful and powerful immunosuppressant for multiple abdominal organ transplantation in pigs.