Postoperative reactions of rats after orthotopic liver transplantation: a model for the human response? A histological and biochemical study.

Postoperative reactions in rats with orthotopic liver grafts were studied in strain combinations which rejected (DA/LEW) or accepted (LEW/DA) the graft despite differences in the MHC, and in a combination with MHC identity (BH/LEW). Histomorphological studies revealed a high correlation between increased serum transaminase levels and liver rejection. There was an increased alkaline phosphatase level in all strain combinations. In specific rat strains, in particular DA/LEW, severe graft rejection occurred. The results obtained suggest this combination to be a suitable model for comparison with the posttransplantation reaction in the grafted human liver.