title: The autologous normothermic ex vivo perfused porcine liver-kidney model: improving the circuit's biochemical and acid-base environment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ex vivo porcine liver perfused model isolates the organ from extrinsic regulatory mechanisms, facilitating an improved understanding of the organ physiology and reaction to various conditions. We have assessed the influence of the addition of a porcine kidney to the circuit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight livers were harvested and perfused for 6 hours. In 5 additional experiments a kidney also was connected in parallel. Hourly arterial blood gases were collected to analyze glucose, acid base, and renal parameters. The primary end point was an evaluation of the influence of the kidney on glucose, pH, and electrolyte levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the combined porcine liver-kidney circuit all the parameters significantly improved compared with the liver circuit alone. This was particularly evident for glucose values because normoglycemia was reached by the end of the perfusion, and for pH and electrolyte values that were maintained at initial levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of a porcine kidney to the perfusion circuit improves the biochemical milieu. This might produce more consistent and reliable results, particularly during studies requiring a steady-state environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Leicester General Hospital, University of Leicester, Gwendolen Rd., Leicester LE5 4PW, UK.
authors.forename: Wen Yuan
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Gianpiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gravante
authors.forename: Dhya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Al-Leswas
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alzaraa
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sorge
authors.forename: Seok Ling
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pollard
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
authors.forename: Ashley R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Dennison
mesh_terms: D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000502:physiology*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D010477:Perfusion / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004573:Electrolytes