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Biomedical subjects

M Shabtai

Publications and source records attributed to M Shabtai.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Prognostic significance of T cell associated surface antigen density changes during OKT3 therapy of renal allograft rejection.

We describe 12 acute rejection episodes in 11 cadaver donor renal allograft recipients who required OKT3* rescue treatment for steroid-resistant acute rejection (9) or for severe vascular (antibody-mediated) rejection (3). There were 3 treatment failures with subsequent graft loss. Using 2-color flow cytometry the total T (CD3), B (DR+), activated T (CD3DR), T helper/inducer (CD4), T cytotoxic/suppressor (CD8) and activated T cytotoxic cell (CD8DR) subsets were analyzed before, in mid course (5 to 7 days) and at the end of 12 to 14 days of therapy with 5 mg. OKT3 intravenously daily. In parallel changes in the density of such T cell associated antigens were analyzed. Significant decreases in the mean levels of the CD3 (p less than 0.001), CD3DR (p less than 0.05), CD4 (p less than 0.05), CD8 (p less than 0.05) and CD8DR (p less than 0.05) subsets were observed at mid course. A significant decrease in the density of CD3 was observed (p less than 0.0001). The surface antigen density of CD3DR, CD4 and CD8 had decreased by 160% (p less than 0.002), 383% (p less than 0.001) and 260% (p less than 0.001), respectively. At the end of treatment CD3 and CD4 subset levels increased by 425% and 240% (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.005), respectively. In contrast, the CD3DR and CD8DR subset levels continued to decrease (p less than 0.05). A higher pre-treatment level of CD3DR and a less sharp decrease in CD3, CD4 and CD8 subsets were associated with a higher risk of treatment failure (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.01, p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.05, respectively). The mean decrease in the density of the CD3 marker in the lost grafts was significantly smaller compared to successful outcomes (p less than 0.001). The results of this preliminary study suggest that OKT3 affects T cell associated antigens other than CD3. Such may provide a sensitive prognostic index for the effectiveness of OKT3 therapy, and permit the identification of those patients who might require higher doses and/or duration of OKT3 therapy to enhance renal allograft salvage rates.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Multivariate and Boolean factor analysis of immune complex/complement deposits and their effects on renal blood flow during allograft rejection.

The role of humoral immune factors in graft destruction is not fully understood. With immunofluorescence techniques the possibility of a specific pattern and/or clustering of immune complex or complement deposits was analyzed in 140 percutaneous kidney needle biopsies performed in 73 patients with renal allograft dysfunction. The results were correlated with concomitant alterations in renal blood flow as measured by cortical and global perfusion indexes and graft survival. The deposition of IgG, IgM, C3 and C4 correlated significantly with acute rejection confirmed by biopsy (p less than 0.05, less than 0.001, less than 0.02 and less than 0.001, respectively). Subsequent graft survival was compromised when IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, C4 and properdin were present together in biopsy specimens (p less than 0.05). There was a significant clustering of IgA with C3, of IgG with C3 and C4, and of IgM with C1, C3 and C4 (p less than 0.001). There also was a significant association among alterations in renal blood flow, deposition of IgA (p less than 0.05) and C4 (p less than 0.02), and graft outcome. Higher perfusion indexes, indicative of decreased blood flow, showed significant associations (p less than 0.007 and less than 0.04 for the cortical and global perfusion indexes, respectively) with a greater risk of graft loss. Although it primarily is a cellular event, the data suggest that acute rejection is associated with a deposition of various humoral factors that may mediate alterations in renal blood flow. The latter may affect graft function and structural integrity, and, thus, may show a direct correlation with the outcome of a graft.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Rectus muscle flap for repair of refractory bladder fistula following renal transplantation: a case report.

We report a case of refractory bladder fistula in a diabetic renal allograft recipient that recurred shortly after conventional operative repair without any detectable external cause. After reoperation and use of a vascularized rectus muscle flap the fistula closed and the patient has retained excellent graft function. It is suggested that this technique should be considered as the primary repair modality for bladder fistulas in diabetic recipients, when wound healing is impaired seriously as a consequence of the combined effects of diabetic microangiopathy and steroid therapy.

Adult↗

An approach to organ salvage from non-heartbeating cadaver donors under existing legal and ethical requirements for transplantation.

Effective utilization of nonheartbeating cadaver donor organs is limited by the time required to obtain the necessary family consent prior to organ retrieval (a delay of at least 4-6 hr); this exceeds by far the maximum tolerance of kidneys to warm ischemia. Measures that could theoretically permit use of such organs include: (1) rapid in situ flush cooling; (2) continued in situ kidney cooling until permission for donation is secured; and (3) cell-membrane stabilization of vital organs, with only minimal invasion of the donor body. These measures were tested experimentally in dogs. Hemorrhagic shock was produced in mongrel dogs. One hour after cessation of heartbeat, a rapid perfusion tube was placed into the femoral artery; it was advanced, and its balloon was inflated in the aorta above the renal vessels. The kidneys were then flushed in situ with 1000 cc of cold preservation solution containing a calmodulin inhibitor, trifluoperazine. Two other catheters were inserted percutaneously into the peritoneal cavity for continuous intraperitoneal cold perfusion. Core temperatures of 4 degrees C were maintained in situ in the kidneys for 5 hr. Six hours after cardiac arrest, the kidneys were removed and preserved ex vivo at 4 degrees C for 24 hr, and were then transplanted into their respective hosts (n = 11), where they sustained life uneventfully. This method requires a 2-inch incision in the groin of the prospective donor, and two small stab wounds of the abdomen; i.e., semi-invasive procedures which are commonly performed in emergency rooms. The perfused body could then be released to the family if donation is denied. The recently documented increased willingness of the public to donate organs when the termination of life support is not an issue, and court decisions that have authorized the performance of nondeforming diagnostic procedures in cadavers without consent, suggest that the salvage of transplantable semi-invasive procedures described in this study may be useful in helping to alleviate the current shortage of transplantable organs. This technique can provide the time needed for families to consider the option of organ donation from nonheartbeating cadaver donors in an unhurried and unpressured manner, while preserving the viability of vital organs during the decision-making process.

Animal Experimentation↗

Protective effects of trifluoperazine on the microcirculation of cold-stored livers.

Previous studies have shown a protective effect of trifluoperazine (TFP), a calmodulin inhibitor, upon the microcirculation of cold-stored kidneys. The present study points to similar beneficial effects of TFP on the microcirculation of cold-stored livers; 25 canine livers were preserved for 24 hr with Euro-Collins' solution (EC) (n = 8), University of Wisconsin solution (UW) (n = 7), or UW + TFP (n = 10). The stored livers underwent heterotopic transplantation (HLTX); hepatic-artery and portal-vein pressure and flow were monitored; oxygen consumption and extraction were measured before HLTX and at 15-min intervals after reperfusion, for 1 hr. Mean hepatic-artery and portal-vein flow (HAF & PVF) prior to donor hepatectomy were 172 and 530 cc/min, respectively. Poor HAF and PVF occurred in EC-HLTX (mean 35, 175 cc/min, respectively). The damaged EC-flushed livers could not compensate to the decreased hepatic blood flow by increased oxygen extraction (oxygen consumption and extraction, 8.7 vol.% and 48%, respectively). Light and electron microscopy showed severe liver necrosis and periportal hemorrhages. Improved hepatic-artery and portal-vein flows were seen in UW HLTX (105 and 254 cc/min), and oxygen consumption and extraction were 16.4 vol.% and 66%, respectively. Liver biopsy taken just before reperfusion revealed well-preserved liver architecture. Liver biopsy obtained 1 hr after reperfusion revealed marked edema of the portal triad, sinusoid congestion, and hemorrhage. Electron-microscopy biopsies obtained during reperfusion at 15-min intervals revealed severe vasospasm of the terminal hepatic arterioles and progressive damage to the liver microcirculation. The addition of TFP to the UW-flush solution resulted in excellent protection of the liver microcirculation. Marked increase in hepatic-artery and portal-vein blood flow was noted after reperfusion (mean 167 and 421 cc/min, respectively (P 0.02 vs. UW: P 0.001 vs. EC). The recovery of metabolic activity was evident by the high oxygen consumption and extraction (25.8 vol.% and 80%, respectively). And serial liver biopsies obtained after reperfusion have shown excellent protection of liver architecture and the absence of hepatic arteriolar vasospasm. Taken together, these data suggest that the addition of TFP to the UW solution protects the liver microcirculation by rendering the hepatic microcirculation insensitive to vasospastic stimuli during reperfusion, thus permitting better metabolic recovery after transplantation.

Adenosine↗

The pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of fleroxacin and pefloxacin in a rat abscess model.

The penetration, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of fleroxacin and pefloxacin were investigated in a rat abscess model. Abscesses were induced by implanting a dialysis tube unit contaminated with Serratia marcescens in the subcutaneous tissue. Simultaneous serum, interstitial fluid (IF) and abscess fluid concentrations of the investigated antibiotics were measured 24 and 96 h after implantation. The concentrations were determined at various time intervals after the last intramuscular administration of each drug (20 mg/kg). Peak fleroxacin and pefloxacin concentrations in the serum of the infected animals were 14.6 +/- 4.7 mg/l and 13 +/- 2.9 mg/l respectively, peak fleroxacin and pefloxacin abscess fluid concentrations after 24 h were 12.3 +/- 2.5 mg/l and 8.9 +/- 2.2 mg/l, respectively (85% and 68% of peak serum concentrations). Abscess fluid concentrations at 96 h were: fleroxacin 4.7 +/- 2.6 mg/l and pefloxacin 4.5 +/- 1.7 mg/l. Both antimicrobials persisted significantly longer in the abscess fluid than in serum. Both drugs failed to sterilize the abscesses following a single administration; however after four consecutive administrations all abscesses became sterile. We conclude that fleroxacin and pefloxacin may be suitable for the therapy of closed space infections caused by susceptible micro-organisms.

Abscess↗