Improved hepatic function in the 24-hour preserved rat liver with UW-lactobionate solution and SRI 63-441

Abstract

The present study compares rat liver preservation for 9, 12, and 24 h in the standard Eurocollins solution with preservation for the same time periods in the new UW-lactobionate solution. Pharmacologic manipulation with a potent platelet-activating factor antagonist, SRI 63-441, was also evaluated. After cold storage in each of the test solutions, the livers underwent 90 min of warm, oxygenated, sanguinous perfusion. A significant increase in liver weight was noted in Eurocollins-stored versus UW-lactobionate-stored livers. After 90 min of perfusion, livers preserved in UW-lactobionate produced significantly more bile and liberated significantly less glucose and transaminases when compared with Eurocollins-stored livers. Significant augmentation of bile production was observed when donor animals were pretreated with SRI 63-441 and the livers were then stored in UW-lactobionate for 24 h. Eurocollins-stored livers demonstrated increased hepatocyte vacuolization and endothelial disruption when compared with UW-lactobionate-stored livers after 12 and 24 h of preservation. This study demonstrates the superiority of UW-lactobionate solution in liver preservation and suggests that SRI 63-441 may be beneficial in the further reduction of cold ischemic injury.

Figure 1

Percentage change in liver weight during the preservation period. Livers preserved in EC solution gained significantly more weight than those preserved in UW solution. The addition of SRI 63–441 did not significantly alter weight change during the storage period.

Figure 2

Perfusate SGOT levels. Differences in SGOT liberation into the perfusate are most dramatically demonstrated after 24 h of preservation. Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase release from livers stored for 24 h in UW solution is comparable to the values at 9 and 12 h for livers stored in EC solution. Perfusate levels of SGPT, LDH, and glucose, and bile production followed a similar pattern.

Figure 3

Low-magnification electron micrographs (×1700). a. Liver preserved in EC solution for 24 h. Note extensive vacuolization of hepatocytes (arrows). b. Liver preserved in UW solution for 24 h. A few small vacuoles are present (arrows).

Figure 4

Electron micrographs after 24-h preservation (×9700). a. Liver preserved in EC solution for 24 h. Note swollen mitochondria (M), vacuoles (V), and endothelial disruption (arrows). b. Liver preserved in UW solution for 24 h. Note areas of intact endothelium (E). Areas of endothelial injury were also present (not shown).