Evaluation of liver function in an improved model of isolated liver perfusion

A perfusion system was described for maintaining isolated guinea pig livers in a stable functional state for five hours. Oxygen supply, oxygen consumption, as well as perfusate flow were within physiologic limits. Liver function was investigated by means of indocyanine green elimination and galactose elimination. Both test substances showed no significant decrease in liver function throughout perfusion. Isolated liver perfusion is a useful tool to investigate problems in organ preservation and liver transplantation.