Solutions for organ perfusion and storage: haemorheologic aspects

Area of Science:

• Organ preservation solutions
• Red blood cell rheology
• Membrane integrity markers

Background:

• University of Wisconsin (UW) solution, containing hydroxyethyl starch (HES), promotes erythrocyte aggregation.
• The impact of UW solution on red blood cell (RBC) deformability remains unclear.
• HES-free preservation solutions, Celsior (CS) and Custodiol (CU), offer alternatives to UW.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the RBC aggregating and stiffening effects of CS and CU solutions against UW solution.
• To evaluate the impact of CS, CU, and UW solutions on RBC membrane integrity using acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as a marker.

Main Methods:

• Red blood cell (RBC) aggregation and deformability were assessed using a laser-assisted optical rotation cell analyzer (LORCA).
• Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) concentration was measured spectrophotometrically to assess RBC membrane integrity.

Main Results:

• University of Wisconsin (UW) solution significantly increased RBC aggregation index (AI) to 38.82 +/- 1.58% compared to controls (28.00 +/- 0.73%).
• Celsior (CS) and Custodiol (CU) solutions showed significantly reduced AI (13.307 +/- 0.64% and 12.47 +/- 0.42%, respectively).
• Custodiol (CU) significantly reduced AChE concentration (1.975 +/- 0.1 nmol) compared to controls (3.043 +/- 0.4 nmol), indicating membrane alteration. UW and CS did not significantly alter AChE levels. No solution significantly affected RBC deformability.

Conclusions:

• Celsior (CS) and Custodiol (CU) solutions effectively prevent erythrocyte aggregation, unlike University of Wisconsin (UW) solution.
• Custodiol (CU) may compromise RBC membrane integrity, as evidenced by a significant reduction in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels.
• None of the tested preservation solutions demonstrated a significant impact on RBC deformability.