Evaluation of a pyridoxylated hemoglobin polyoxyethylene conjugate solution as a perfusate for small intestine...

A new type of artificial blood, pyridoxylated hemoglobin-polyoxyethylene conjugate (PHP) solution, (developed by PHP research group of the department of health and welfare of Japan, and produced by Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Tokyo) as an oxygen-carrying component, has been recently devised using hemoglobin obtained from hemolyzed human erythrocytes. Recently, the studies using this solution as a preservation solution were performed in some instances. To examine the mechanism of improved viability using this solution as a preservation solution, we developed a model of orthotopic small intestine transplantation (OIT) in the rat. As a baseline study, we compared parameters of viability of the grafts preserved in Collins and UW solution to those preserved in PHP solution including a survival rate, a serum level total protein and albumin, and a change in body weight after transplantation. In our study, the simple hypothermia storage together with intestinal perfusion preservation with PHP solution was performed. Animals were divided into 6, 12, and 24 hr preservation groups. All of the rats survived after 6 hr preservation following transplantation. However, in 12 hr storage, five of six rats in PHP solution preservation survived and recovery in body weight after grafting was better than those with Collins and UW solution. We conclude that the PHP solution is, therefore, considered to possibly be a more suitable perfusate for small intestine preservation than Collins and UW solution.