The capability of isolated hepatocytes and liver slices of donor livers topredict graft function after liver transplantation

Aims/Background: In liver transplantation, adequate function tests for dono r livers and transplanted livers are of utmost importance to provide an obj ective basis for decision-making. Isolated hepatocyte and/or slice preparat ions from human donor liver tissue may be suitable to test the quality of t he organ to be transplanted. Methods: Surgical waste material remaining aft er reduced size or split liver transplantation in children was used to prep are slices and isolated hepatocytes. The viability of these preparations as well as drug transport and metabolism functions were determined and relate d to graft function in 32 liver recipients. Results: The in vitro tests use d in the present study apparently did not select non-viable livers. In vitr o preparations of the primary non-function grafts which occurred in the inv estigated group showed normal viability, metabolic and uptake function. Con clusion: These results indicate that either the presently used viability te sts are not sensitive enough to detect potential organ failure or that othe r factors besides the hepatocyte viability at the time of transplantation a re of paramount importance to the graft function of the recipient, such as complications during and after transplantation or the viability of the non- parenchymal cells.