Hydroxyethyl starch does not improve pancreas preservation with HTK

Area of Science:

• Organ preservation
• Transplantation research
• Biomedical engineering

Background:

• Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution is used for cardioplegia and organ preservation.
• Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is a colloid volume expander with potential benefits in organ preservation.
• Pancreas preservation is critical for successful transplantation, with edema being a common complication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of hydroxyethyl starch on pancreas preservation using HTK solution.
• To evaluate the impact of HES on pancreatic edema and post-preservation organ quality.
• To determine if HES improves immediate post-ischemic organ function in a porcine model.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an in vitro reperfusion system with porcine pancreas.
• Quantified pancreatic weight, arterial pressure, volume flow, and washout of amylase and lactate during preservation.
• Assessed post-ischemic organ quality during reperfusion, measuring vascular resistance, metabolite release, insulin secretion, and oxygen consumption.

Main Results:

• HES in HTK prevented pancreatic weight increase post-perfusion and after 24-hour cold ischemia (p < 0.005 and p < 0.05, respectively).
• HES did not alter arteriovenous volume flow or amylase and lactate washout during protective perfusion.
• No significant differences in post-ischemic organ quality or function were observed during reperfusion with HES addition.

Conclusions:

• Hydroxyethyl starch in HTK solution effectively mitigates pancreatic edema during cold storage.
• HES does not enhance immediate post-ischemic organ quality or function when assessed in an in vitro reperfusion system.
• Further research may be needed to explore potential long-term benefits or alternative applications of HES in pancreas preservation.