Transplants

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of reducing injury to cells, a tissue or organ to be explanted from a body and upon implantation into a body by administering a composition to the cell, tissue or organ, including: (i) a potassium channel opener or agonist and/or an adenosine receptor agonist; and (ii) an antiarrhythmic agent. The invention also provides a composition for reducing injury to vasculature ex vivo including: (i) a potassium channel opener or agonist and/or an adenosine receptor agonist; and (ii) an antiarrhythmic agent.

1 . A method of inducing injury to cells, a tissue or organ to be explanted from a body and upon implantation into a body by administering a composition to the cell, tissue or organ, including:
 (i) a potassium channel opener or agonist and/or an adenosine receptor agonist; and   (ii) antiarrhythmic agent.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the composition includes (i) and (ii) in amounts effective to arrest the heart. 
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition further includes at least one muscle relaxant. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the muscle relaxant is selected from the group consisting of a botulinum toxin (e.g. botox), myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, calmodulin blocker, calcium channel blocker, nitric oxide donor, dipyridamole, beta blocker, Na/H inhibitor, high magnesium, opioid, phosphodiesterase inhibitors (eg. Papaverine, milrinone, theophylline, dipyridamole, alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists (phenoxybenzamine) and Rho kinase inhibitors (eg HA1077 or fausdil). 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered directly to the cells, tissues or organs that are intended to be explanted, or to cells, tissues or organs that have been explanted or to cells, tissues or organs that have been implanted, or administered at a combination of these stages of explanation and implantation. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the composition is administered in a non-arresting concentration to a patient following surgery. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the composition is pre-mixed with the patient's blood. 
   
   
       8 . A method of improving recovery of cells, a tissue or organ upon implantation into a body by administering a composition including:
 (i) a potassium channel opener or agonist and/or an adenosine receptor agonist; and   (ii) antiarrhythmic agent.   
   
   
       9 . A composition for reducing injury to vasculature ex vivo including:
 (i) a potassium channel opener or agonist and/or an adenosine receptor agonist; and   (ii) antiarrhythmic agent.