Twelve rats underwent allogeneic SBTx heterotopically and were divided into 2 groups as follows: group A underwent SBTx with FK506 and group B with FK506/BBS. All rats were administered FK506 daily. Either BBS or normal saline was infused continuously from day 14 to 28. Analysis of ICC was performed immunohistochemically with c-kit. Interstitial cells of Cajal were evaluated by counting the number of c-kit–positive clusters in each graft.
The expression of c-kit accumulated around 60 % of PGP9.5-positive enteric ganglia. The number of c-kit–positive clusters in group A was 22.3 ± 5.5 clusters per cross section (C/CS) and that in group B was 36.3 ± 5.1 C/CS. Interstitial cells of Cajal were well preserved in group B. There was a significant difference between groups A and B (P <.001).
Interstitial cells of Cajal were impaired by FK506 in allografts, and BBS could minimize the impairment of ICC against FK506.