A preservation solution with polyethylene glycol and calcium: a possible multiorgan liquid

• Published in: Transplant international 2002-07, Vol.15 (7), p.348
• Main Authors: Hassen Ben Abdennebi, Jean-Paul Steghens, Hadj-Aïssa, Aoumeur, Barbieux, Alain, Ramella-Virieux, Silvina, Gharib, Claude, Boillot, Olivier
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0934-0874; 1432-2277
• DOI: 10.1007/s00147-002-0427-8

The addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to hepatocyte storage medium is known to decrease lipid peroxidation and swelling and to protect the cell cytoskeleton from cold. We therefore decided to investigate the effect of substituting PEG for hydroxyethyl starch (HES) in an extracellular-like UW solution, with and without Ca++, on rat liver preservation. Isolated perfused rat livers were used to assess graft injury after 24h of cold storage. Four groups of preserved livers (n=6 for each group) were compared to controls (non preserved livers, n=11). For this purpose, Belzer solution (K+-UW, group 1) was stepwise modified. Group 2 (Na+-UW) was treated with the same liquid, however with inverted concentrations of Na+ and K+. Group 3 was preserved in the first experimental solution (EPS-1) with Ca++ (0.5mM) added to the Na+-UW solution. In the EPS-2 (group 4), PEG-35 (0.03mM) was substituted for HES. The last group, EPS-3 (group 5) was treated with the same compounds as EPS-2, but without Ca++. After 24h of cold storage and 120min normothermic reperfusion, there was no statistical difference in transaminases (ALT and AST) release between the control and the Na+-UW groups. Furthermore, rat livers preserved in Na+-UW solution released less (P