ORGAN PRESERVATION WITH EC, HTK, AND UW SOLUTIONS IN ORTHOTOPIC LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION IN SYNGENEIC RATS - PART-I - FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS

Ischemic injury to the liver is known to influence the outcome of live r transplantation. In this study the efficacy of Euro-Collins (EC), hi stidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK), and University of Wisconsin (U W) preservation solution was analyzed in the model of orthotopic liver transplantation in syngeneic rats. The study design was as follows: G roup I, Euro-Collins solution (n = 1); Group II, Histidine-Tryptophan- Ketoglutarate solution (n = 11); Group III, University of Wisconsin so lution (n = 11). The rat liver transplantation was performed with arte rialization of the graft as described by Engemann. The postoperative f ollow-up was 28 days. The perfusion flow rate of the preservation solu tion measured during organ perfusion revealed lowest levels in the UW group and comparable levels in Groups I and II. Postoperative graft fu nction was monitored by measuring liver enzymes (aspartate amino-trans ferase, ASAT, alanine aminotransferase, ALAT), bilirubin and bile prod uction. The survival rate was 10/11 in each group. Liver enzymes and b ilirubin increased postoperatively and went back to normal within 2 or 3 weeks. In contrast to bilirubin, the liver enzymes showed a biphasi c increase with maxima on the 1st and 5th days (range: ALAT, 220-264 U /L; ASAT, 145-177 U/L). Bile production was observed in all groups, bu t was significantly higher after UW-preservation (P < .005). Analysis of inflammatory cells revealed high concentrations of intrasinusoidal leukocytes and lymphocytes in the graft with a maximum on the 5th day.