Successful nonfreezing, subzero preservation of rat liver with 2,3-butanediol and type I antifreeze protein.
BACKGROUND
Organ cryopreservation is hindered by ice inflicted damage. Nonfreezing preservation of livers at subzero temperatures might offer advantages over current preservation.


METHODS
Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. UW livers (n = 6) were stored in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution at +4 degrees C. UWB livers (n = 6) were perfused ex vivo with UW + 10% 2,3-butanediol at < or =7 degrees C and stored at -4 degrees C. AFP livers (n = 4) were preserved identical to UWB livers, except for addition of 1 mg/ml of type I antifreeze protein. After 24 h livers were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer (37 degrees C) for 60 min. Bile production, O(2) consumption (O(2)C), taurocholate extraction, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release during perfusion and liver adenine nucleotide content and energy charge at the end of perfusion were measured. Cell membrane integrity was determined by trypan blue infusion.


RESULTS
Ice formation was prevented in all livers stored at -4 degrees C. Bile production, O(2)C, and taurocholate extraction were similar among three groups. Livers stored at -4 degrees C contained significantly more adenine nucleotides than livers stored at +4 degrees C but the energy charge was similar. LDH release was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the AFP group vs UWB and UW (63 vs 28 and 21 mU/min/g liver, respectively). Hepatocyte and sinusoidal cell trypan blue uptake was similar in all three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Butanediol with or without AFP was effective in preventing ice formation up to 24 h in rat livers stored at -4 degrees C. Although as effective as current +4 degrees C protocols, subzero preservation for longer periods needs to be achieved prior to clinical application.
Soltys
K A
KA
Department of Surgery, Transplant Research Laboratory, University of Medicine and Dentistry-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA.
Batta
A K
AK
Koneru
B
B
D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000032:analysis; D000249:Adenosine Monophosphate / Q000032:analysis; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D021322:Antifreeze Proteins, Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002072:Butylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005615:Freezing; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D009926:Organ Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
D021322:Antifreeze Proteins, Type I; D002072:Butylene Glycols; D000249:Adenosine Monophosphate; C026978:2,3-butylene glycol; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate