Effectiveness of Carolina rinse solution after cold ischemic storage of rat livers: biochemical and histological...

Using a rat liver perfusion model, the effectiveness of Carolina rinse solution was assessed for the prevention of reperfusion injury after 48 h of cold storage in UW solution. Transaminase levels (GOT, GPT and LDH) of the perfusate were significantly higher in the Ringer group (17 +/- 8, 17 +/- 9 and 191 +/- 97 IU/l, respectively) than in the Carolina group (6 +/- 4, 5 +/- 4 and 21 +/- 20 IU/l) (p < 0.05). The levels of oxygen consumption were also higher in the Carolina group (233 +/- 54 mm Hg) than in the Ringer group (164 +/- 58 mm Hg) (p < 0.05). Histological examination showed severe parenchymal cell damage in the Ringer group, whereas the damage was slight in the Carolina group. Two newly developed monoclonal antibodies, REC16-11 and REC4-1, which specifically react with rat endothelial cells, were used for immunohistochemical studies of the livers. The endothelial cells of central vein and sinusoids were more severely damaged in the Ringer group than in the Carolina group. The present study suggests that Carolina rinse solution is useful for prevention of liver damage from reperfusion injury after cold storage of the graft for organ transplantation.