The
Ep4 solution, a
phosphate buffered extracellular-type
solution, is effective in canine
lung transplantation following a 96-hour hypothermic (4 degrees C) preservation. In this experiment, we used this
solution for liver preservation followed by
transplantation. We compared the
Ep4 solution with the
lactated Ringer's (LR) and the Collins' M (CM)
solution (a
phosphate buffered intracellular-type
solution) in two studies, 1) 48-hour liver preservation, and 2) orthotopic
liver transplantation after 5-hour preservation. In the preservation study,
purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) levels as a marker of endothelial damage, and
alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly lower in the livers immersed into the
Ep4 solution than in those immersed into other solutions at 36 and 48 hours after preservation. Microscopically, the endothelial injury occurred 24 hours after preservation in the CM
solution, and 36 hours after preservation in the LR and Ep4 solutions. In the
transplantation study, serum PNP and ALT levels in the livers immersed in
Ep4 solution showed a lower tendency compared with those in other solutions at the time of reperfusion, but the histological differences among three groups were not apparent. The present study suggests that the liver can be stored better for a longer time using
Ep4 solution than using LR and CM solutions.