Effects of Trehalose in Preservation of Canine Lung for Transplants

Abstract

The effect of trehalose, a non-reducing disaccharide which stabilizes and protects membranes, in the preservation of canine lungs was examined when Euro-Collins solution was basically used as a preservant. In group I, five lungs were perfused and preserved in an Euro-Collins solution modified by replacing the glucose with 35.0 g/L of trehalose. Five control lungs (group II) were perfused and preserved with Euro-Collins solution containing 35.0 g/L glucose. In both groups, no vasodilators were used. After preservation for 12 hours, left lung allotransplantation was performed. At 10, 40, 70, and 130 minutes after reperfusion, the right pulmonary artery was clamped for 10 minutes and four parameters were measured: arterial oxygen tension, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, peak inspiratory pressure, and wet/dry weight ratios. The transplanted lung was also examined histologically. At 10, 40, 70, and 130 minutes after reperfusion, oxygen-tension levels from group I were 263.2 +/- 19.2, 283.4 +/- 14.0, 277.5 +/- 19.9 and 264.9 +/- 26.2 mmHg, respectively. In group II, the corresponding values were 191.2 +/- 33.9, 188.0 +/- 40.3, 153.4 +/- 40.0 and 134.7 +/- 49.4 mmHg, respectively. At 70 and 130 minutes the difference were significant (p < 0.05). All transplanted lungs from group I showed normal histology, whereas four dogs in group II developed severe pulmonary edema and one had a partially edematous lung. These findings suggest that simple substitution of trehalose for glucose has a beneficial effect on preservation of canine lung for 12 hours.

Trehalose: Current Use and Future Applications

“…An effective preservation media would be able to stabilize the cell membranes, resulting in the suppression of cellular edema occurrence, potentially leading to prolonged storage. 161 In one study, all transplanted lungs preserved in trehalosecontaining Euro-Collins solution (35 mg/mL) demonstrated normal histology, whereas those preserved in Euro-Collins solution (with glucose in place of trehalose) developed severe pulmonary edema. 161 The value of partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO 2 ) in the transplanted lungs was monitored at several time points following reperfusion.…”

“…161 In one study, all transplanted lungs preserved in trehalosecontaining Euro-Collins solution (35 mg/mL) demonstrated normal histology, whereas those preserved in Euro-Collins solution (with glucose in place of trehalose) developed severe pulmonary edema. 161 The value of partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO 2 ) in the transplanted lungs was monitored at several time points following reperfusion. The lungs that were preserved in the trehalose-containing solution demonstrated PaO 2 values (130 min following reperfusion) similar to that observed in the preoperative group (264.9 ± 26.2 and 281.8 ± 10.6 mmHg, respectively), whereas those stored in glucose solution demonstrated a significantly lower PaO 2 value (134.7 ± 49.4 mmHg).…”

“…158 The survival rates of skin grafts, taken from rabbit ear, were reported to be enhanced for those stored in trehalose solution, following prolonged storage at 4 • C. 160 In addition, the viability of lyophilized bovine embryos was increased significantly upon trehalose addition. 159 Furthermore, canine lungs preserved in trehalose demonstrated significantly greater function and histology compared with those preserved in glucose; 161 long-term cryopreservation at −85 • C in trehalosecontaining solution resulted in viable tracheal graft tissue, and in reduced transplant rejection without immunosuppressive therapy. 162 Trehalose was also shown to be effective as a cryoprotectant for carrot and tobacco cells, as long as it was applied as a pretreatment to cells.…”

“…The lungs that were preserved in the trehalose-containing solution demonstrated PaO 2 values (130 min following reperfusion) similar to that observed in the preoperative group (264.9 ± 26.2 and 281.8 ± 10.6 mmHg, respectively), whereas those stored in glucose solution demonstrated a significantly lower PaO 2 value (134.7 ± 49.4 mmHg). 161 The effectiveness of trehalose in improving the stability of lung tissues is thought to derive from its ability to stabilize the cell membrane, thereby suppressing damage from pulmonary ischemia and low temperature, both of which are essential for long-term preservation.…”

Melting point of ice in aqueous saccharide solutions

“…It is known that trehalose and sucrose-disaccharides with the same molecular weight-show different abilities with regard to the protection of plant and animal cells against both cold and drought stress [1]. We have studied why trehalose is more protective than sucrose; we studied this from the viewpoint of the suppression of the growth rate of ice crystals in saccharide solutions [2,3].…”