ObjectiveTo explore apoptosis of acinar cells during pancreatic allograft rejection in rats.MethodsGroups of Wistar rats underwent heterotopic pancreaticoduodenal transplantation from syngenic Wistar of allogenic SD rats. The grafts were harvested on postoperative day 3, 5 and 7. All graft samples were subjected to histological examination and apoptotic cells of graft acinar cells using in situ terminal deoxynucleotidy1 transferasemediated dUTP nickend labeling (TUNEL). Histopathological rejection score and apoptotic index (AI) were analyzed. ResultsThe incidence of apoptotic cells was increased steadily over time in allografts, in contrast with syngenic grafts. The apoptotic cells in allografts were mainly acinar cells and few infiltrating lymphocytes. A significant correlation between apoptotic index and histopathological rejection score was noted.ConclusionTUNEL can display apoptosis of single cell in situ. Apoptosis is an important mechanism of tissue injury in acute pancreatic allograft rejection in rats. Acinar cell apoptosis can be used as a valuble index to estimate the injury of grafts and to monitor the acute rejection.