Evaluation of Celsior solution in experimental liver preservation using ex situ isolated rat liver perfusion

In vitro function of porcine carotid arteries preserved in UW, HTK and Celsior solutions

We compared the efficacy of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) and University of Wisconsin (UW) solution with Celsior solution using hypothermically-preserved porcine carotid arteries and studied the importance of different components of these solutions by preserving carotid arteries in modified HTK solutions. Excised carotid arteries were stored at 4 degrees C in 0.9% (w/v) NaCl, UW, HTK, Celsior, or a modified HTK solution for up to 14 days. Preservation-induced changes in smooth muscle cell and endothelial cell function were determined using an organ bath for isometric tension recording. Short-term preservation (1-3 days) in UW, HTK and Celsior did not significantly alter contractile and relaxation responses of arterial segments when compared to freshly-excised segments, but significantly impaired these responses in arterial segments stored in 0.9% (w/v) NaCl solution. Long-term hypothermic preservation of arterial segments (7 and 14 days) in 0.9% (w/v) NaCl and HTK solution almost completely abolished all responses, but only slightly reduced the responses of arterial segments stored in UW solution. Intermediate results were obtained for Celsior. Modifying HTK by replacement of chloride for sulfate and phosphate resulted in improved contractile and relaxation responses after long-term preservation. With respect to smooth muscle and endothelial function, UW is superior to HTK and Celsior and the absence of chloride or presence of sulfate and phosphate plays a relevant role in this in vitro model of hypothermic preservation of porcine carotid arteries.

Evaluation of rat liver apoptotic and necrotic cell death after cold storage using UW, HTK, and Celsior

BACKGROUND

The benefit of Celsior in liver graft preservation is controversial. In the isolated perfused rat liver model, we compared the effects of Celsior, University of Wisconsin (UW), and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) preservation solutions on liver cell death.

METHODS

Rat livers were stored at 4 degrees C for 0, 8, 16, or 24 hr in either Celsior, UW, or HTK and reperfused for 90 min (37 degrees C). Bile secretion and perfusate levels of liver enzymes and histone-associated DNA fragments were measured. Apoptosis and oncotic necrosis were analyzed in biopsies by DNA gel electrophoresis, hematoxylin and eosin histology, and enzyme histochemistry for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and 5'-nucleotidase (5'-NT).

RESULTS

Perfusate flow rate through the liver during perfusion did not significantly differ among preservation solutions. Bile secretion was best preserved in UW livers after 16-hr (versus HTK livers) and 24-hr storage (versus HTK and Celsior livers). Enzyme leakage from UW livers was lower compared with HTK livers after 8-hr storage (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT], LDH) and with Celsior and HTK livers after 16-hr (SGOT, LDH) and 24-hr storage (SGOT, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, LDH, purine nucleoside phosphorylase). In situ LDH and 5'-NT activities were best preserved in UW livers (up to 24 hr), whereas enzyme activities declined remarkably in HTK livers (after 8 hr) and Celsior livers (after 16 hr of cold storage). Although perfusate DNA fragment levels were repeatedly lowest from Celsior livers, apoptotic DNA laddering and the number of fragmented nuclei in hematoxylin and eosin sections was not different among livers after 8, 16, or 24 hr of storage.

CONCLUSIONS

Celsior and UW are equally effective in preventing rat liver cell death after 0-16 hr of cold preservation as compared with the less effective HTK solution. After 24-hr cold storage, rat livers were best preserved in UW. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in mode of cell death (apoptosis or oncotic necrosis) after storage in any of the three solutions.

Liver preservation: a comparison of celsior to colloid-free University of Wisconsin solution

INTRODUCTION

Celsior (CEL) was formulated specifically for heart preservation. Recently some preliminary reports have suggested that CEL is also effective for liver preservation. In this study liver preservation with CEL was compared to colloid-free University of Wisconsin solution (MUW).

METHODS

Arterialized rat liver isografts were flushed and stored for 24 hr at 0 degrees C in CEL or MUW before orthotopic transplantation. Plasma albumin, bilirubin, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were measured 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after surgery.

RESULTS

All recipients of MUW-preserved livers survived, none of the recipients of CEL-preserved grafts lived beyond 3 days. On day 1, AST was raised in all rats but rats receiving CEL-preserved liver grafts were also markedly hypoglycemic, hypoalbuminemic and had elevated alkaline phosphatase.

CONCLUSION

Celsior is not an effective solution for long-term liver preservation in its present composition.