Biochemical signs of early rejection of liver allografts in dogs

Biochemical alterations during early rejection of allogeneic liver transplants were studied in 17 dogs. The animals were divided into 3 groups: 1) orthotopic liver transplantation with immunosuppressive therapy, 2) orthotopic liver transplantation without immunosuppressive therapy, 3) immunosuppressive therapy as in group 1, but no transplantation. Results of biochemical studies indicate that the most typical sign of early rejection of the liver is an increase in serum biblirubin level. High serum bilirubin points to advanced and usually irreversible alterations in the liver parenchyma. Efforts to mitigate the rejection proces with immunosuppressive drugs thus far are usually ineffective.