BENEFICIAL EFFECT OF EPC-K(1) ON THE SURVIVAL OF WARM ISCHEMIC DAMAGED GRAFT IN RAT CARDIAC TRANSPLANTATION

A newly introduced compound, EPC-K1, represents a phosphate diester li nkage of vitamin E and vitamin C. The effect of EPC-K1 on the reperfus ion injury was evaluated in a heterotopic cardiac transplantation mode l using syngenic combination rats. Prior to the warm ischemia, 12mg EP C-K1/kg was administered intravenously to donor rats. After 15min of w arm ischemic time, hearts were harvested and perfused with 4-degrees-C saline. After completion of the transplantation, recipient rats were also treated with intravenous 12mg EPC-K1//kg, before reperfusion. Sal ine was used instead of EPC-K1 for both donors and recipients in the c ontrol group. On the 7th post-transplantation day, graft survival was 7 out of 8 in EPC-K1 group, versus 1 out of 9 in the control group (p < 0.001). Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels in the recipie nt serum, three hours after reperfusion, were significantly limited, i n the group in which EPC-K1 was administered only to donors. But it wa s not possible to clarify whether the effect of EPC-K1 is primarily at the donor or recipient levels at this time. These results indicate th at EPC-K1 may reduce reperfusion injury after cardiac transplantation. This beneficial effect may be mediated by the hydroxyl radical scaven ging properties of EPC-K1.