Serum citrulline as a marker for rejection in intestinal transplant in rats

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to correlate the serum citrulline levels to the acute cellular rejection after intestinal transplant, therefore establishing a cheaper and less invasive method of intestinal transplant rejection diagnosis. Methods: The experimental study took place at the Batchelor Research Institute of the University of Miami in the period between August and December, 2004 duly approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Research. Five intestinal transplants were performed in Lewis rats that received intestinal grafts from DA rats, as previously described by SANTIAGO et al. Blood samples were collected in the pre- and post-surgical period at days 3rd, 5th, and 7th. Results: Serum citrulline levels ranged from 78 to 99 µmol/L in pre-transplant period; from 44 to 54 µmol/L in post-transplant 3; from 62 to 73 µmol/L in post-transplant 5, and from 36 to 60 µmol/L in post-transplant 7. Mean serum citrulline levels in 3, 5, and 7 post-transplant days were significantly smaller compared to the pre-transplant level. Conclusion: Serum citrulline levels declined along the acute cellular rejection, and this may point citrulline as a marker for the early detection of acute rejection episodes.