ENDOTHELIUM-DEPENDENT RELAXATION OF CANINE PULMONARY-ARTERY ENDOTHELIUM AFTER PROLONGED PRESERVATION

Objective Experiments were designed to investigate the effect of Euro- Collins (EC) solution and University of Wisconsin (UW) solution on fun ction of pulmonary arterial endothelium. Methods Third order canine pu lmonary artery segments were preserved in cold (4 degrees C) UW (group 1, n=8) or EC (group 2, n=9) solutions for 16 hours. The preserved (g roup 1 and 2) and control (group 3, n = 7) pulmonary arterial segments with and without endothelium were studied in vitro in organ chambers to measure isometric tension. Results The endothelium-dependent relaxa tion to acetylcholine and adenosine diphosphate of group 1 and 3 were significantly better than those of group 2. Conclusions We concluded t hat endothelium-dependent relaxation of canine pulmonary arterial endo thelium to receptor-dependent acetylcholine and adenosine diphosphate were impaired after preservation with Euro-Collins solution. However, endothelium-dependent relaxation of pulmonary segments were well maint ained after preservation with University of Wisconsin solution.