Influence of DMSO distribution upon renal function following freezing and thawing

Abstract

The distribution of DMSO in canine kidneys under different conditions including perfusion time, volume of perfusate, DMSO concentration in the perfusate has been investigated. The cortical concentration after perfusion with 12.5% of DMSO reached its maximum after 30 min, after which a decrease in DMSO concentration was found. The medullar concentration of DMSO was approximately unchanged after 15–60 min perfusion and lower than any of the cortical areas. The cortical areas of the kidney contained 69–87% of concentration of the perfusate when 7.5 or 12.5% DMSO concentration was used, and 15.0 or 17.5% DMSO resulted in 62–70% of the perfusate concentration in the cortical portions. There was a gradual decrease in vascular resistance during perfusion with 12.5% DMSO post-freeze. However, when perfusing with 15.0 and 17.5% DMSO, vascular resistance was increased gradually with time. The weight gain was most pronounced during postthaw perfusion and correlated to the DMSO concentration. Eight of 17 kidneys were viable following freeze-thaw after perfusion with 12.5% DMSO. The corresponding figures for 15.0% DMSO were 3 out of 10, and for 17.5% DMSO, 0 out of 6.