Gene Expression Changes in Rat Pancreas Transplant Model after Graft Long-Term Storage in Perfluorohexyloctane

Abstract

Background: Perfluorohexyloctane is a promising storage solution, it has been successfully used for pancreas preservation for islet isolation. This hyperoxygen carrier has been designed to prevent the pancreas graft ischemia cold-storage injury. In our study we aimed to evaluate its impact on whole organ storage in rat pancreas transplantation model. Method: Brown-Norway rats were used for syngeneic heterotopic pancreas transplantation. Procured organs were cold-stored for 18 hours in preoxygenated perfluorohexyloctane (PFH) (n=8), in University of Wisconsin solution (UW) (n=8), or transplanted immediately in control group (n=8). Two hours after reperfusion we took blood and pancreas tissue samples for biochemistry and gene analysis (real-time PCR). Results: Significant difference between UW and PFH group was observed in TNF-beta and endotelin 1 gene, which was twofold overexpressed in UW group. Blood samples in UW group compared to PFH group showed higher levels of lipase and amylase (5,5±2,8 vs 3±0,7 ukat/l resp. 94,2±25,2 vs 67,7±13,4 ukat/l, p< 0,05). Conclusion: We found significantly lower expression of endotelin 1 and TNF-beta gene and lower concentrations of amylase and lipase in PFH group. All these findings demonstrate lower rate of ischemia-reperfusion injury in PFH group. These findings may cause better post-transplant outcomes after long-term cold-storage in perfluorohexyloctane compared to UW solution. Further research on this field is required. Funding: This work has been supported by research intent of Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine (Grant 9017 2011-2012).