I. Nagahiro et al., EPC-K-1 IS EFFECTIVE IN LUNG PRESERVATION IN AN EX-VIVO RABBIT LUNG PERFUSION MODEL, The Annals of thoracic surgery, 63(4), 1997, pp. 954-959
Background. L-Ascorbic acid 2-[3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2- 12-t
rimethyltridecyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6yl-hydrogen phosphate] potassium sa
lt (EPC-K-1) is a phosphate diester of alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic a
cid. It has been reported that EPC-K-1 inhibits lipid peroxidation and
phospholipase A(2). We hypothesized that EPC-K, might enhance lung pr
eservation and reduce the degree of posttransplantation lung dysfuncti
on. Methods. Eighteen rabbits were divided into three groups, as follo
ws: group 1, no preservation (n = 6); groups 2 (n = 6) and 3 (n = 6),
24 hours of preservation at 8 degrees C. Low-potassium dextran-1% gluc
ose solution was used for flushing and immersion in all groups, but EP
C-K-1 (0.5 mg/L) was added to the solution used in group 3. After stor
age the left lung was reperfused with autologous blood and ventilated
using a membrane oxygenator in an isolated rabbit lung reperfusion mod
el. The grafts used in the group 1 rabbits were perfused for 5 hours t
o confirm the reliability of this model, and the grafts used in the gr
oup 2 and 3 rabbits were perfused for 2 hours. Pulmonary arterial pres
sure, airway pressure, blood gas analysis, and the lipid peroxide leve
l of the perfusate were assessed. The lipid peroxide levels of the lun
g tissue before and after storage and the wet-dry weight ratio of the
perfused lung were determined in groups 2 and 3. Results. Superior gra
ft function was noted in group 3 in terms of all indices. The lipid pe
roxide level in the perfusate and the wet-dry weight ratio were also s
uppressed in group 3. The lipid peroxide level in the lung tissue did
not change during storage in either group. Conclusions. The administra
tion of EPC-K-1 in the flush and preservation solution helps enhance l
ung graft function and suppresses lipid peroxidation after reperfusion
. (C) 1997 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.