Hematuria in rabbits

A nine year retrospective study of hematuria in 14 New Zealand White rabbits was conducted to classify possible etiologies of this clinical finding. Physical examination, laboratory tests, radiography and postmortem examination were utilized in most cases to verify the presence of hematuria and to determine its etiology. Uterine adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in two rabbits. Three rabbits had uterine polyps with hemorrhage. Renal infarction with hemorrhage was diagnosed in three rabbits. Urolithiasis with secondary urethral obstruction and hemorrhagic cystitis was identified as the cause of hematuria in four rabbits. Other causes of hematuria included chronic cystitis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, bladder polyps and pyelonephritis. Hematuria of undetermined origin was observed in one rabbit. This last [corrected] case was negative for both blood and porphyrin in the urine, but positive for excess levels of urobilin, the oxidative product of urobilinogen. This case illustrates that hyperpigmented urine should be a rule out in all cases of suspected hematuria in rabbits.

Preservation damage in liver transplantation. Influence of rapid cooling

Liver preservation and transplantation was performed in pigs. For flush perfusion cold (2 degrees C) and warm (15 degrees C) lactated Ringer's solution were compared. Administration of cold Ringer's resulted in a severe endothelial damage of sinusoids that was aggravated after recirculation, as shown by electron microscopic examination. Using warm Ringer's solution this alteration was limited. Liver parenchymal cells are impaired mainly during reflow as a consequence of microcirculatory disturbance. After cold flushing animals died within a few hours, whereas after flushing with warm Ringer's solution pigs survived definitively.

[Current status of liver transplantation]

The importance of the liver transplantation for the treatment of infaust liver diseases is nowadays regarded as undisputed. The results could be improved during the last years: on an average 40% of the patients still live one year after the transplantation. The control of the transplant rejection and the diminution of the ischaemic liver damage are preeminent pathophysiological problems. Clinical routine and experience essentially further the optimization of the results.

Alteration of the ultrastructure of the pig liver after a continuous perfusion of six hours in vitro

Livers of mini LEWE pigs were perfused continuously for 6 h on a novel perfusion system through the portal vein (laminar flow from 200 to 300 ml/min, pressure 270 Pa) and through the A. hepatica (pulsating flow from 100 to 200 ml/min, pressure: 10.6/5.5 kPa). The following perfusion media were used for determining the best conservation conditions at 10 to 12 degrees C: Pig blood/Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer 1:1; Pig blood/Ringer lactate solution 1:1; Pig plasma; Collins C 2 perfusion solution. After perfusion with Collins C 2 solution the hepatocytes show swelling and dilation of the granular endoplasmic reticulum; after perfusion with the other solutions the changes of the hepatocytes are negligible. The alterations of the sinusoidal wall cells depend on the perfusion pressure and flow and the composition of the solution. After continuous perfusion the sinusoidal walls are characterized by vesicles of endothelial cells, dilatation of the Disse space and fragmentation of hepatic microvilli.

[Value of histopathologic findings following liver transplantation based on biopsy course studies]

A total of forty-four biopsies from nine liver transplantation patients, who had developed complications postoperatively, were studied histologically and, in part, electron-microscopically. Morphologic signs of acute rejection were seen in three patients, while there were indications of chronic rejection in one patient. In combined lesions, such as drug-induced hepatosis, cholangitis, hepatitis, and rejections, the interpretation of biopsy findings may be difficult, and special entities cannot in every case be separated unequivocally. Changes of serum bilirubin and of serum enzyme activity do not run entirely parallel to the microscopically detectable structural lesions. For diagnosis of complications after liver transplantation both the morphologic and the clinical findings must be considered.

Adenine nucleotides and glycolysis during liver preservation by simple hypothermic storage

Adenine nucleotides and glycolytic metabolites were examined during hypothermic storage of porcine livers by different preservation methods. The parameters ATP, ADP, AMP, G6P, F6P, FDP, GAP, 2PG, PEP, Pyr and Lact were investigated. The results indicate a dependence of adenine nucleotides but no dependence of glycolytic metabolites on preservation method. Storage by plasma protein fraction or Collins C2 solution causes a better result in TAN concentration after 6 h than albumin and Ringer storage or Ringer trickle perfusion. Conditioning the organ for a better outcome of preservation aimed at increasing the glycolytic rate is of questionable value.

[A method for determining the hemodynamic behavior of the liver in vitro]

Hemodynamic parameters of livers--especially resistance of the sinusoids and of functional portosystemic shunts--are investigated using an electro-physical model. During liver perfusion the inflow conduit is compressed irregularly. The dynamic changes of pressure and flow allow a calculation of the volume passing the sinusoids and the functional shunts.

[Electron microscopic findings during hypothermic storage preservation of the liver. II. (author's transl)]

Porcine livers were preserved by simple hypothermic storage for 6 h using plasma-protein-fraction 5%, albumin 5%, Collins C2, and Ringer-lactate followed by a morphometric evaluation of the electron-microscopic changes. The morphometric parameters reflecting swelling of mitochondriae showed the most pronounced changes and were suited best for reproduction. The best result was achieved by using Collins C2-storage. The endoplasmic reticulum was found to be only slightly swollen in all preservation solutions investigated here, at the same time a degranulation of granular endoplasmic reticulum could be demonstrated. The increase in volume of lysosomes per unit-volume was not significant.

[Electron microscopic findings during hypothermic storage. Preservation of the liver. I. (author's transl)]

Porcine livers were preserved by simple hypothermic storage for 6 h using plasma-protein-fraction 5%, albumin 5%, Collins C2, and Ringer-lactate. Electron-microscopic alterations primarily consist of aggregations of nuclear chromatin, marginal chromatin condensation, swelling and destruction of cristae mitochondriales, swelling and degranulation of the endoplasmic reticulum. These signs of cell damage are of varying intensity depending on the different preservation methods. The best condition of hepatocytes on the whole is guaranteed by using Collins C2-solution.

[Glycolysis during hypothermic storage preservation of the liver]

Porcine livers were preserved for 6 hours by simple hypothermic storage using plasma-protein-fraction, albumin, Collins C2, Ringer solution, and Ring-trickle-perfusion. Following glycolytic metabolites were examined: G6P, F6P, FDP, GAP, 2PG, PEP, pyruvate, and lactate. An alteration of glycolytic metabolite-profile by the different preservation methods was not seen. There is a limitation of glycolysis by the pyruvate-kinase-reaction. Glycolysis decreases depending from preservation time. An artificial increasing of glycogen or rate of glycolysis before hepatectomy seems to be without any effect.