RESUSCITATION OF ISCHEMICALLY DAMAGED PANCREAS BY THE 2-LAYER (UNIVERSITY-OF-WISCONSIN SOLUTION PERFLUOROCHEMICAL) MILD HYPOTHERMIC STORAGEMETHOD/

We have shown that 24-hour preservation by a two-layer [University of Wisconsin solution (UW)/perfluorochemical (PFC)] cold storage method a t 4 degrees C allowed tissue ATP synthesis and resuscitated canine pan creases subjected to 90 minutes of warm ischemia. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the two-layer (UW/PFC) mild hypothermic s torage method at 20 degrees C could shorten a preservation period for recovery of ischemically damaged pancreas and clarify changes of tissu e adenine nucleotide metabolism and tissue perfusions, After 90 minute s of warm ischemia, canine pancreas grafts were preserved by the two-l ayer method and then autotransplanted. Tissue adenine nucleotide level s at the end of preservation and tissue perfusions after reperfusion w ere measured. Pancreas grafts subjected to 90 minutes of warm ischemia did not sun ive (0 of 5), without preservation. During a fi-hour pres ervation by the two-layer cold storage method the grafts did not synth esize enough ATP to repair damaged cell, although tissue perfusions we re maintained after reperfusion. Consequently, ischemically damaged pa ncreases were not resuscitated (0 of 3). However, during 5-hour preser vation by the two-layer mild hypothermic storage method, the grafts su pplied enough ATP for processes that repair damaged cells, and tissue perfusions were maintained after reperfusion. As a result, ischemicall y damaged grafts were resuscitated (5 of 5). We conclude that 5-hour p reservation by the two-layer mild hypothermic storage method accelerat es ATP synthesis, which is essential for repairing damaged cells and p rotects the vascular microcirculation. This method can resuscitate isc hemically damaged pancreas faster and holds promise for pancreas-kidne y transplantation from cardiac arrest donors.