title: Intracellular Na+ accumulation and hepatocyte injury during cold storage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The mechanisms responsible for liver damage during cold storage are still not completely understood. We have investigated the role played by alterations of Na+ homeostasis in cell injury during cold hypoxia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The changes in Na+ distribution were investigated in isolated rat hepatocytes stored at 4 degrees C under hypoxic conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hepatocyte cold stored up to 72 hr in Krebs-Henseleit-Hepes buffer showed a progressive increase in intracellular Na+ content that preceded the loss of cell viability. Na+ accumulation and cell death were prevented using Na+-free, acidic (pH 6.5) or glycine-supplemented storage media. The Na+ ionophore monensin reverted the cytoprotection exerted by glycine and by the acidic medium, but not that given by Na+-free Krebs-Henseleit-Hepes. A low Na+ content was also important for the cytoprotection observed using University of Wisconsin solution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Na+ overload might contribute to liver graft injury occurring during cold storage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, University of East Piedmont A. Avogadro, Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carini
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: De Cesaris
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bellomo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Albano
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000493:Allopurinol / Q000494:pharmacology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D005978:Glutathione / Q000494:pharmacology; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D008985:Monensin / Q000494:pharmacology; D009926:Organ Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D011887:Raffinose / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D007328:Insulin; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; C055206:University of Wisconsin-lactobionate solution; D000493:Allopurinol; D008985:Monensin; D012964:Sodium; D005978:Glutathione; D000241:Adenosine; D011887:Raffinose