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Twenty-four-hour heart preservation using continuous cold perfusion and copper (II) complexes
F W Sellke1, H W Richter, G Dunphy
1Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA.
The Journal of Surgical Research
|January 8, 1999
Summary
Copper(II) chloride (Cu(II)Cl2) effectively preserved rat hearts during 24-hour cold storage, improving functional recovery and reducing oxidative damage. This suggests Cu(II) compounds can enhance organ preservation for transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
- Transplantation Science
Background:
- Long-term heart preservation leads to tissue damage from reactive oxygen species.
- Inhibiting oxygen-derived free radicals can maintain heart function post-preservation.
- Copper(II) complexes may inhibit free radical effects by dismutating superoxide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of copper(II) compounds in preserving isolated rat hearts during 24-hour hypothermic storage.
- To assess the impact of Cu(II)Cl2 and Cu(II)2Asp4 on heart function and oxidative stress markers.
Main Methods:
- Isolated rat hearts were preserved for 24 hours using the Langendorff technique with a hypothermic, hyperkalemic solution.
- Perfusion solutions were supplemented with either Cu(II)Cl2 or Cu(II)2Asp4 to assess their protective effects.
- Functional recovery (systolic pressure, coronary flow, dP/dt) and lipid peroxidation markers were measured.
Main Results:
- Cu(II)Cl2 treatment significantly improved post-preservation heart function compared to controls.
- Both Cu(II)Cl2 and Cu(II)2Asp4 reduced myocardial malonaldehyde and creatine kinase release, indicating less oxidative damage.
- Cu(II)Cl2 demonstrated superior preservation of cardiac function over 24 hours.
Conclusions:
- Low-pressure, cold perfusion with enhanced solutions, including Cu(II)Cl2, is a promising method for donor heart preservation.
- The protective effects of Cu(II)Cl2 are likely due to superoxide dismutase activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition.
- Further research may explore the role of specific copper species and additives in mitigating reperfusion injury.