[Development of a model of combined liver-intestinal transplantation in rats for the study of immune tolerance].

The aim of a combined liver/intestinal transplantation experimental model in rats is the study of the liver-induced tolerance of a solid, vascularized and highly immunogenic organ. Animals. Inbred Lewis rats were divided in two syngenic groups: 1. small intestine grafting (n = 10); 2. combined liver/intestinal grafting (n = 10). Intestinal grafting was performed 15 days after liver transplantation. Results. 10/10 animals were alive after 60 days in the first group and 7/10 in the second. Intestinal graft viability was good and 3 intestinal biopsies were done without any complication in each animal. All samples were histologically normal. Our study using syngenic animals prove that combined liver/intestinal transplantation is technically possible and reliable.