Introduction: There is increasing support for the use of hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) in an attempt to reduce preservation injury. However, experimental evidence is needed to further examine the effects of HMP on renal ischemia reperfusion injury.
Methods: Porcine kidneys were subjected to 10 min of warm ischemia followed by 18 hr of static cold storage with hyperosomolar citrate (HOC), histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK), or University of Wisconsin (UW) solutions or 18 hr HMP with Kidney Perfusion Solution using the Lifeport perfusion system. Renal function, oxidative damage, and morphology were assessed during 3 hr of reperfusion with autologous blood using an isolated organ perfusion system.
Results: During reperfusion, intrarenal resistance was significantly lower in the HMP group compared with HOC and UW (area under the curve; HMP 3.8+/-1.7, HOC 9.1+/-4.3, UW 7.7+/-2.2, HTK 5.6+/-1.9 mm Hg/min; P=0.006), and creatinine clearance was significantly higher compared with the UW group (area under the curve creatinine clearance; HMP 9.8+/-7.3, HOC 2.2+/-1.7, UW 1.8+/-1.0, HTK 2.1+/-1.8 mL/min/100 g; P=0.004). Tubular function was significantly improved in the HMP group (P<0.05); however, levels of lipid peroxidation were significantly higher (P=0.005).
Conclusion: HMP demonstrated a reduced level of preservation injury compared with the static techniques resulting in improved renal and tubular function and less tubular cell inflammation during reperfusion.