Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Normothermic Ex Vivo Liver Machine Perfusion in Mouse
Published on: September 25, 2023
Small animal ex vivo machine perfusion of the liver: A comprehensive literature review
Klaudija Bickaite-Bausiene1,2, Mindaugas Kvietkauskas3,4, Bettina Leber1
1Division of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz 8036, Steiermark, Austria.
Background:
Liver transplantation is the only treatment for acute and chronic liver failure, but the global organ shortage has increased reliance on extended criteria donor livers, which are more susceptible to ischemia-reperfusion injury. While static cold storage is standard, these grafts often require improved preservation strategies.
Aim:
To summarize the current state of small animal liver machine perfusion (MP), highlight variability in protocols, and emphasize the need for standardization to guide future research.
Methods:
A comprehensive literature search of PubMed was conducted to identify studies on small animal (rat and mouse) ex vivo liver MP. Only English-language animal studies were included, with no restrictions on publication date. Relevant full-text articles were reviewed, and reference lists were screened to ensure completeness.
Results:
Small animal liver MP provides a cost-effective model to explore dynamic preservation strategies. Rat perfusion studies face challenges including dual-vessel perfusion, maintaining physiological perfusate volumes, and lack of standardized protocols. Open- and closed-circuit setups have distinct advantages and limitations, and experimental designs vary widely across studies.
Conclusion:
This review illustrates the wide variability in small animal liver MP protocols and underscores the urgent need for standardization. Addressing these inconsistencies will enhance reproducibility, facilitate comparison across studies, and support the development of optimized liver preservation strategies.
