[Effects and side effects of corticosteroids in allotransplantation]

The survival of rabbit skin allografts was significantly increased by local treatment of the grafts prior to transplantation. Triamcinolone acetonide proved to be the most effective compound from nine corticosteroids compared in this study. That its effect is mainly due to a local antiinflammatory activity could be clearly demonstrated after simultaneous transplantation of pretreated and untreated grafts on the same recipient and on pretreated second set grafts. In both experiments a significant prolongation of the survival of the pretreated grafts was observed. There were no side effects due to a general activity of the locally applied steroids. This was also confirmed by experiments with tritium-labelled Triamcinolone acetonide. By combining this local treatment with low dose general immunosuppression the same positive effect was seen without any side effects as with general treatment alone which, however, caused a high morbidity and mortality due to general side effects. The local pretreatment of kidney allografts with methylprednisolone did not increase the survival of the recipients in dogs. Comparative studies with general application of the steroids. Triamcinolone acetonide and methylprednisolone in rabbit skin allotransplantation revealed a superior immunosuppressive effect and a significantly lower risk of general side effects of Triamcinolone acetonide.