METHODOLOGY FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF LUNG PROTECTION - HUMAN PULMONARY-ARTERY CELL PRESERVATION USING HAEMACCEL

This investigation was designed to show an original methodology for th e assessment of lung preservation and to analyze the efficacy of a low potassium polygelin solution (haemaccel [HM]) on isolated human pulmo nary artery endothelial cells. The effects of HM were compared with th ose of low potassium dextran (LPD), Belter (University of Wisconsin [U WS]), and Euro-Collins solutions. The viability of the endothelial cul tures was assessed by means of both total protein content and recovery of metabolic cellular function expressed as the protein synthesis rat e after 6 hr and 16 hr of incubation at 10 degrees C, Our results fail ed to show any significant difference in the total protein content for HM, LPD, and UWS, both after 6 and 16 hr of incubation; however, the Euro-Collins-preserved sample revealed a significant drop in this para meter as early as 6 hr after the start. This finding was regarded as a clear indication of cellular cytotoxicity, In contrast, the metabolis m recovery capacity of the cells varied significantly between HM and U WS at 6 hr and among HM, LPD, and UWS at 16 hr; at 6 hr, however, no s ignificant difference was observed between HM and LPD. In conclusion, HM appears to exert a more significant effect on human pulmonary arter y endothelial cell metabolism recovery than do the other fluids, thus suggesting its suitability as a long-term pulmonary perfusate.