Effect of oxidized and reduced glutathione in liver preservation

Glutathione spontaneously oxidizes in the UW solution for organ preservation and reduced glutathione (GSH) is converted to oxidized (GSSG) glutathione. To determine the effects of the oxidized or reduced forms of glutathione on liver preservation dog livers were preserved for 24 and 48 hr with the UW solution containing either GSH or GSSG. After 24 hr of preservation the form of glutathione did not affect survival or the postoperative course of the animals. All animals survived (three per group) with near-normal liver functions by the third to fifth postoperative day. When preservation was extended to 48 hr survival was 100% (6/6) with GSH and 29% (2/7) with GSSG. The dogs that died developed primary nonfunction of the liver. This study shows that GSH is an important component of the UW solution for 48-hr preservation of the dog liver. The presence of GSSG does not prevent successful 24-hr preservation of the liver, which has been confirmed in clinical studies. However, for 48-hr preservation GSH is required and GSSG is not suitable.