Background. The complications of preserving lungs for transplantation
are well known, with successful transplantation only being assured by
preservation times of 5 to 6 hours or less. If a new method of consist
ent lung preservation could be identified, lung transplantation could
be extended to many patients. We have previously reported lung preserv
ation times averaging 14.8 hours using a multiorgan autoperfusion bloc
k infused with physiologic saline solution as a model. When plasma fro
m deeply hibernating woodchucks (Marmota monax) or the delta opioid DA
DLE was infused into the multiorgan block, lung preservation times inc
reased threefold to 45 hours. Methods. In this study, we examined the
effect of infusing plasma containing the hibernation induction trigger
molecule on lung preservation for transplantation using a multiorgan
autoperfusion block. Results. This study demonstrated that successful
orthotopic transplantation of single canine lungs is possible after 24
to 33 hours of preservation when the lung has been maintained with pl
asma containing the hibernation induction trigger molecule. Conclusion
s. Theoretically, hibernation induction trigger could be administered
to donors before lung harvest in an effort to extend lung preservation
times.