Improvement of rat liver graft function after storage in University of Wisconsin solution containing testicular hyaluronidase

Abstract

Hyaluronan accumulates at sites of inflammation, which affects the organization of matrix and thereby the proliferation, migration, and adherence of cells. In this study we investigated possible beneficial effects of the hyaluronandegrading enzyme hyaluronidase on rat liver graft viability. Orthotopic rat liver transplantation was performed using a cuff technique in Wistar AL Bacharach Glaxo (WAG) rats grafted with WAG livers, which had been stored in the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution or in UW solution enriched with testicular hyaluronidase. Liver tissue architecture, as well as tissue and serum hyaluronan levels, were determined using immunohistochemistry and biochemical assays. Addition of testicular hyaluronidase (0.4 mg/mL) to livers preserved for 24 hours in cold UW solution followed by brief exposure to Ringer's lactate both prolonged the function of the grafted livers and improved their viability (4 of 10 grafts survived, compared with 0 of 10 in the control group). Hyaluronidase treatment did not damage the liver tissue architecture, and a reduced edema was observed in the survivors. Furthermore, 10 minutes after restoration of circulation, higher serum hyaluronan levels were observed in nonsuccessful compared with successful transplantations, whereas no differences in the levels of other serum viability markers were detected. We conclude that addition of testicular hyaluronidase to storage UW solution limits liver cell damage and considerably improves graft function. Furthermore, our data suggest that serum hyaluronan level is a better marker than other serum markers for early evaluation of postoperative graft function. (Liver

Carbonic Anhydrase Protects Fatty Liver Grafts against Ischemic Reperfusion Damage

“…The principle of static cold storage is the reduction of metabolism and oxygen requirements by hypothermia, in order to prevent tissue injury [ 5 ]. As described in the literature, the addition of testicular hyaluronidase, an enzyme responsible for the degradation of hyaluronane, to UW preservation solution limits liver cell damage and improves graft function after orthotopic liver transplantation [ 27 ]. These data confirm that the addition of an enzyme to preservation solutions may have a protective effect on organ preservation even at low temperature.…”