On the role of platelets and leucocyte in renal xenoperfusion.
Five rabbit kidneys were perfused with heparinized human blood, five with platelet-rich, leucocyte-poor blood, five with platelet-poor, leucocyte-rich blood, and five with platelet-poor, leucocyte-poor, heparinized human blood. The kidneys were perfused at a constant pressure of 80 mm Hg and the time until the flow decreased to 2 ml/min was determined. Removal of platelets from the blood significantly delayed rejection. The effect of removing leucocytes was insignificant. Morphologically all groups revealed platelet aggregates, endothelial damage and ischemic changes of distal tubular epithelium.