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Deuterium oxide-based University of Wisconsin solution improves viability of hypothermically stored vascular tissue
C S Berwanger1, T M Cleanthis, H M Hafez
1Academic Surgical Unit, Imperial College of School of Medicine at St. Mary's, London, England. c.berwanger@ic.ac.uk
Background:
Preservation of vascular function largely determines the outcome of transplantation. We have investigated replacing the water (H2O) in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution with deuterium oxide (D2O) in an attempt to improve vascular function after hypothermic storage.
Methods:
Rat aortic segments were stored in UW solutions based on 100% H2O, 25% D2O, 50% D2O, and 100% D2O at 4 degrees C for 24, 48, or 72 hr. Vascular function was measured via contraction and endothelium-dependent relaxation after stimulation with phenylephrine and acetylcholine.
Results:
UW solution with 25% D2O gave a significant (P<0.05) improvement of contraction and relaxation in comparison with H2O-based UW solution and other concentrations of D2O.
Conclusions:
Low concentrations (25%) of D2O-UW solution are significantly superior to the H2O-based (i.e., commonly used) equivalent at up to 72 hr. These results suggest that low concentrations of D2O-UW solution can improve the quality of hypothermic storage.