Maintenance of rat liver viability enhanced by cold flushing with oxygenated perfluorochemicals

Abstract

The possible benefit of oxygenation during initial cold flushing was investigated as means of improving the quality of live preservation in rats. In five group of animals (total 61 experiments), the lives were flushed with different perfusates. Non-oxygenated groups included controls, Collins' solution alone and Collins' solution containing perfluorotributylamine (FC-43). In the oxygenated groups, Collins' solution alone and collins' solution containing FC-43 were oxygenated by bubbling. The hepatic ATP level and histopathological changes were used to assess the quality of liver preservation. Oxygenation during the initial cooling process proved to be effective in maintaining energy metabolism and preventing the characteristic microscopic changes of ischemic damage. Oxygenated Collins' solution containing FC-43 showed a much longer lasting effect compared with oxygenated Collins' solution alone. Without FC-43. Under light microscopy, in integrity of the liver appeared to be well preserved up to eight hours with the former solution. It is concluded that enhanced oxygenation with FC-43 in the initial cold flushing period can improve the quality of liver preservation.

Restoration of ATP Contents in the Transplanted Liver Closely Relates to Graft Viability in Dogs

“…Dawkins et al [18] stated that an important factor contributing to cell death is loss of nucleotides, ATP, and that maintenance of adequate levels of ATP is essential for the preservation of liver cells. Konno et al [7] found no remarkable histo logical changes of the liver containing high ATP levels 8 h after preservation by flushing with cold modified Collins solution and high oxygenated perfusate. Watanabe et al [16] reported that a small amount of ATP was necessary for the initial step of its own repro duction.…”

“…Decrease in the cellular level of ATP dur ing anoxia is a common occurrence [6][7][8][9] due to cessation of oxidative phosphoryla tion, lack of oxygenation leading to restraint of the sodium-potassium pump, disappear ance of membrane potentiality and finally cell death [5,9,16,17]. Dawkins et al [18] stated that an important factor contributing to cell death is loss of nucleotides, ATP, and that maintenance of adequate levels of ATP is essential for the preservation of liver cells.…”