Orthotopic liver transplantation in dogs receiving FK-506

Abstract

Ten dogs that survived the perioperative events of liver transplantation were treated with 1 mg/kg/d oral FK. Eight of the recipients lived for at least 1 month postoperatively, and seven are still alive with normal hepatic function after 35 to 65 days. The consistency and good quality of results with this difficult transplant preparation using FK, in spite of its rumored great toxicity in dogs, have highlighted the importance of further developing the drug.

Fig 1

One-month survival rates of untreated dogs, dogs treated with FK, and dogs treated with 20 mg/kg/d CyA. The controls and CyA-treated animals have been reported as part of another study. ×, Untreated control (n = 8); , CyA 20 mg/kg/d (n = 9); ○, FK 1 mg/kg/d (n = 10).

Fig 2

SGOT and TBil levels in dogs treated with 1 mg/kg/d FK and dogs treated with 20 mg/kg/d CyA. The CyA data have been published elsewhere. *Animal died.

Fig 3

The course after two B-B transplantations in dogs receiving 1 mg/kg/d FK. Note the progressive weight loss in the dog whose liver was undergoing low rejection. ○, OLTX-FK10. >60 days; , OLTX-FK9, died at 55 days.