31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy study on kidney preservation. Effect of verapamil

31P NMR spectroscopy has been used to evaluate the usefulness of verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, in preventing ischemic renal damage. Phosphorylated metabolites have been investigated before, during and after 48 hrs of hypothermic storage. The rapidity in adenosine triphosphate resynthesis and the phosphomonoesters and phosphodiesters levels after reperfusion at the end of the storage period (48 hrs), were significantly higher in verapamil-treated kidneys. Phosphomonoesters to inorganic phosphate ratio, during the storage period, is even higher. These findings suggest that verapamil may protect against ischemic renal damage and so it can be useful for renal preservation. Furthermore, it has been shown that 31P NMR spectroscopy puts into evidence the biochemical recovery and allows the assessment of the viability of organs.