The effect of colloid concentration on the functional characteristics of isolated perfused rat liver

Effect of perfusate albumin on organ viability and vascular responses in the in vitro dual-perfused rat liver

Inclusion of albumin in the perfusate has been previously shown to be detrimental to liver function, but its effect on hepatic vascular reactivity remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of albumin on hepatic arterial vascular reactivity and liver viability in the isolated dual-perfused rat liver. A total of 12 rat livers were perfused with Krebs-Bülbring buffer without (Group 1) and with (Group 2) addition of 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) through the hepatic artery and portal vein for up to 5 h. Hepatic arterial responses to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside were studied at 30-min intervals. Liver viability was assessed by bile volume production, release of aspartate serine aminotransferase (AST) and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH), and histological examination. Hepatic arterial responses to acetylcholine were significantly attenuated in Group 2. No significant differences in sodium nitroprusside responses were noted. However, bile volume production in Group 2 was significantly decreased compared to Group 1. Effluent AST and LDH release increased significantly in Group 1 but not in Group 2. Histological results showed that sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes were well preserved without significant deterioration in either group, although there was a marked decrease in vasodilatation to acetylcholine in Group 2. This data suggested that the presence of albumin in the perfusate did not improve retention of smooth muscle reactivity and reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and bile volume production during perfusion. However, improved liver parenchymal cell function was observed.

The effect of insulin and hydrocortisone on the isolated rat liver

Isolated rat livers were perfused at 35 degrees C with bovine serum albumin (40 g/l) in Krebs Ringer bicarbonate buffer, or with the same solution containing insulin (0.22 x 10(-6) mol/l), hydrocortisone (0.068 x 10(-3) mol/l), or both hormones together. Observations on the synthesis of bile and on perfusate levels of potassium, aspartate aminotransferase, urea and glucose showed that the presence of insulin and/or hydrocortisone had no beneficial effect on the perfused rat liver in vitro. There is little justification of the isolated liver.