Human organ donor adrenals: Fine structure, plasticity and viability

This chapter describes and analyzes the properties of the human adrenal medulla using tissue obtained from kidney organ donors. The present report covers five case studies of adrenals obtained from organ donors. The original rationale for using adrenal medullary tissue for transplants is that the chromaffin cells within the medulla may provide sufficient titers of catecholamines, especially dopamine and norepinephrine, to compensate for deficient dopamine levels in the striatum. However, in evaluating the potential of the adrenal medulla for transplantation, it is important to consider the other cell types that are grafted along with chromaffin cells. The observations discussed in the chapter provides evidence that neurotrophic effects on the host CNS may be an important mechanism by which adrenal medulla implants promote recovery in the parkinsonian patient. At present, adrenal medullary cells have many desirable characteristics and deserve continued attention for use as neural implants. However, whether adrenal medulla implants will prove to be efficacious remains to be determined.