Preservation of rat livers by cold storage: a comparison between the University of Wisconsin solution and Hypothermosol.
OBJECTIVE
The University of Wisconsin solution (UW) is the gold standard for cold storage (CS) of donor livers. However, UW contains the colloid Hydroxyethyl starch (HES), which may cause perfusion deficits due to its high viscosity. Recently, a new CS preservation solution, Hypothermosol (HTS), was introduced which contains the less viscous colloid Dextran. The aim of this study was to assess HTS as a cold storage solution for preservation of the liver.


METHODS
In an isolated perfused rat liver model, hepatocellular damage was assessed after 24 hours of CS. Liver enzymes were measured during reperfusion with Krebs-Henseleit Buffer. Bile was collected during reperfusion as a parameter of liver function.


RESULTS
CS using HTS showed a significant decrease of ALT and LDH levels (as compared to UW) at all time points during reperfusion. For LDH these results where most pronounced at t=10 min (84 +/- 7.09 vs 113 +/- 7.57: p < 0.05) and t=30 min (149.2 +/- 9.68 vs 194 +/-6.52: p< 0.05). Regarding liver function, more bile was produced after 24 hours CS in HTS, but this did not reach statistical significancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Cold storage preservation of rat livers using Hypothermosol results in equal or even better preservation as compared to cold storage using UW.
Academic Medical Center, Surgical Laboratory, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. M.Bessems@amc.uva.nl
M
M
Bessems
B M
BM
Doorschodt
A K
AK
van Vliet
T M
TM
van Gulik
D000241:Adenosine / Q000592:standards*; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000493:Allopurinol / Q000592:standards*; D000818:Animals; D001646:Bile / Q000378:metabolism; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000592:standards*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000592:standards*; D007328:Insulin / Q000592:standards*; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions / Q000592:standards*; D011887:Raffinose / Q000592:standards*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
D007328:Insulin; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; C055206:University of Wisconsin-lactobionate solution; C494184:hypothermosol; D000493:Allopurinol; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D005978:Glutathione; D000241:Adenosine; D011887:Raffinose