Reduced oxidative stress during acellular reperfusion of the rat liver after hypothermic oscillating perfusion

ATP resynthesis during reperfusion after liver preservation has been shown to be well correlated with the function of transplanted grafts. Nevertheless, the advantages of a cellular energy charge loading during the preservation period are yet not fully understood. This study evaluates the effects of different nucleotide levels at the end of preservation on metabolic changes and oxidative stress during reperfusion.

Two experimental groups were chosen reflecting different energy charge states after preservation: static cold storage for 10 hr and hypothermic oxygenated oscillating perfusion for 10 hr. In both experimental groups, normothermic ex vivo acellular reperfusion over 40 min was performed. A third group consisted of nonpreserved livers similarly reperfused for 40 min. Superoxide formation was detected by the superoxide dismutase inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome c added to the normothermic perfusate.

Superoxide formation and lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde were significantly lower during reperfusion after the energy charge loading before reperfusion by the hypothermic oscillating perfusion technique. However, oxygen radical formation, liver cell injury (lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] release), and TNFalpha release were significantly higher in energy charge-depleted groups (nonpreserved and cold stored livers).

Hypothermic oscillating oxygenated perfusion led to the elevated energy charge during preservation and led to reduced oxygen radical formation as well as less lipid peroxidation during reperfusion, in contrast to cold stored livers and nonpreserved livers. This suggests a correlation between the energy charge before reperfusion and oxygen radical formation as well as liver injury at reperfusion.