Biphasic mechanism for hypothermic induced loss of protein synthesis in hepatocytes

A complication in liver transplantation is increased clotting times due to inhibition of protein synthesis resulting from prolonged hypothermic preservation. Protein synthesis is also blocked in cold preserved hepatocytes. In this study, the mechanism of inhibition of protein synthesis in cold preserved hepatocytes was investigated.

Hepatocytes prepared from rat liver were cold preserved in University of Wisconsin solution for 4, 24, and 48 hr. Protein synthesis was measured as incorporation of radiolabeled leucine into acid precipitable proteins. Hepatocytes were treated with antioxidants (dithiothreitol, trolox or deferoxamine, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine monoacetate), steroids (dexamethasone or methylprednisolone), methods to keep adenosine triphosphate high (aerobic storage), and cytoskeletal disrupting agents (cytochalasin D or colchicine).

There was a 26% decrease in protein synthesis after only 4 hr of cold storage and a further 25% decrease at 24 hr. Antioxidants, elevated adenosine triphosphate, and N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine monoacetate did not affect the rate of loss of protein synthesis. Protein synthesis was not due to inhibition of amino acid transport or lack of amino acids in the storage medium. Steroid pretreatment of hepatocytes had no effect on the loss of protein synthesis occurring in the first 4 hr of storage but did suppress the loss occurring during the next 44 hr of storage. Cytoskeletal disrupting agents, added to freshly isolated cells, inhibited protein synthesis.

The mechanism of loss of protein synthesis in cold preserved liver cells is not mediated by: (1) oxygen free radical generation or improved by antioxidant therapy, (2) nitric oxide generation in hepatocytes, (3) an adenosine triphosphate-sensitive destruction of cell viability, and (4) decreased permeability of amino acids or loss of amino acids from the cells. Loss of protein synthesis due to hypothermic storage appears biphasic. The first phase, occurring within 4 hr of storage, may be the result of the effects of hypothermia on the cell cytoskeletal system and may be untreatable. The second phase, which occurs during the next 24 to 48 hr is sensitive to steroid pretreatment. This phase may be amenable to improved preservation methodology. Improved preservation of the liver may require the use of steroids to conserve protein synthetic capabilities.