Functional recovery of rat hind-limb allografts.

Few papers have assessed the long-term functional recovery of animal limb allografts. In this study, the functional recovery of rat limb allografts was serially and quantitatively investigated for a period of 1 year. The donor's hind limb was orthotopically transplanted into the recipient. Fifteen recipients with allografts were treated with FK506. Functional recovery of the grafted limb was assessed serially by cutaneous reaction test, walking track analysis, and electrophysiologic evaluation. Sensibility improved to a similar extent in both isografts and allografts, and the recovery rate at 1 year was 68 percent, compared to the normal side. Sciatic function index significantly improved to - 70 points after 1 year. The amplitude recorded from the gastrocnemius muscle significantly improved, and the ratio compared to the normal side was 43 percent. Limb isografts and allografts treated with FK506 showed no significant differences in functional recovery. The data can be used as a reference standard for future investigations.