RECOVERY OF PANCREATIC TISSUE PERFUSION AND ATP TISSUE-LEVEL AFTER REPERFUSION IN CANINE PANCREAS GRAFTS PRESERVED BY THE 2-LAYER METHOD

We examined whether pancreas grafts preserved by the two-layer method maintained adenine nucleotides pool as substrates for ATP synthesis be fore reperfusion and had the ability to recover pancreatic tissue perf usion and synthesize ATP promptly after reperfusion. After preservatio n by the two-layer cold storage method using EC for 48 h (group 1) or simple cold storage in EC for 48 h (group 2), canine pancreas grafts w ere autotransplanted. In controls (group 3), canine pancreas grafts we re autotransplanted without preservation. Tissue adenine nucleotide co ncentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatograph y, and pancreatic tissue perfusions were measured using the hydrogen g as clearance method. Graft survival rates were five of five, zero of f ive, and five of five in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Total adeni ne nucleotide levels before reperfusion in group 1 were almost the sam e as in group 2. Furthermore, ATP tissue levels in group 1 before repe rfusion were also the same as in group 2. However, tissue ATP levels i n group 1 after 2 h of reperfusion (6.71 +/- 1.19 mu mol/g dry weight) were significantly higher than group 2 (4.51 +/- 0.51 mu mol/g dry we ight; p < 0.05). On the other hand, pancreatic tissue perfusions in gr afts preserved by the two-layer method (group 1) after 2 h of reperfus ion were significantly higher than in group 2. We conclude that oxygen ation of pancreas grafts during preservation by the two-layer method a llows for ATP synthesis and leads to maintenance of the grafts' abilit y to recover ATP levels and tissue perfusions after reperfusion.