EFFECT OF CALCIUM-ANTAGONISTS ON RAT-LIVER DURING EXTENDED COLD PRESERVATION-REPERFUSION

Background. Nisoldipine, a calcium antagonist, has been reported to im prove the quality of grafted rat livers. We thus assessed the protecti ve effect of two calcium antagonists, nisoldipine and nickel, during e xtended cold ischemia-reperfusion. Methods. Rat livers were isolated a nd perfused before or after 24 hr of cold ischemia in University of Wi sconsin solution (4 degrees C) with or without nisoldipine or nickel. Sinusoidal endothelial cell and hepatocyte functions were measured-by hyaluronic acid and taurocholate elimination, respectively. Results. S imilar alterations in hepatocyte and sinusoidal cell functions were fo und in all groups after cold ischemia with or without calcium antagoni sts. In a second set of experiments, liver transplantation was perform ed in two groups of rats with livers stored under identical conditions with or without nisoldipine. Seven of 12 animals (62.5%) in both grou ps survived for over 10 days after 24-hr preservation in University of Wisconsin solution. Survival rates were similar in both groups. Concl usions. Calcium antagonists do not appear to have a direct protective effect on sinusoidal endothelial cell and hepatocyte functions, nor on the overall liver preservation after extended cold preservation-reper fusion.