Previous studies have shown that treatment with
erythropoietin (EPO) exerts important cytoprotective and antiapoptotic effects. Donor organs recovered after
cardiac death (
DCD) can alleviate the shortage of organs required for
transplantation. However, organs obtained subsequent to
cardiac death demonstrate an increased incidence of
delayed graft function and primary nonfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of EPO administration to the donor in a porcine model of
kidney transplantation under
DCD conditions. Landrace pigs received 1,000 IU/kg i.v. EPO 30 min before
cardiac arrest. Kidneys were then subjected to 30 min of
warm ischemia and were transplanted after 24 h of cold storage. Renal dysfunction, injury, and
inflammation were evaluated 4 h after
transplantation.
Transplantation of kidneys from
DCD resulted in significant renal dysfunction, injury, and
inflammation. This study provides the first evidence that pretreatment of the donor with a single pharmacologically relevant dose of EPO causes substantial attenuation of the dysfunction and injury associated with the
transplantation of kidneys recovered after
cardiac death.