Effects of adenosine on ischaemia-reperfusion injury associated with rat pancreas transplantation

Background: During cold preservation, cellular consumption of adenosine tri phosphate leads to the accumulation of nucleotides and nucleosides. The pre cise role of adenosine in modulating the inflammatory response of cold-pres erved pancreas after reperfusion remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of adenosine on the inflammatory response associated with the process of ischaemia-reperfusion in rat pancreas trans plantation. Methods: The effect of adenosine from preservation solution on the levels o f high-energy nucleotides and their breakdown products after cold ischaemic preservation was determined. In addition, the inflammatory response associ ated with the process of ischaemia-reperfusion in pancreas transplantation was quantified with and without pretreatment with the adenosine antagonist theophylline, and during preservation of the organ in University of Wiscons in solution with and without adenosine. Results: Adenosine from preservation solution is able to modify the nucleot ide and nucleoside content of preserved pancreas, indicating that adenosine is incorporated and metabolized in tissue. Administration of the adenosine antagonist to transplanted rats moderated the increases in nitrite and nit rate, myeloperoxidase activity and lipoperoxidation levels in the pancreas. Conclusion: Adenosine in the preservation solution may enhance the inflamma tory response in rat pancreas transplantation.