Superoxide scavenging activity in experimental liver transplantation

Abstract

Abstract Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was evaluated by measuring superoxide scavenging capability with the aid of an electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping method in a swine orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) model. The animals were divided into two groups, depending on the length of the survival periods: the short survival group (n= 8) survived less than 6 days and the long survival group (n= 15) 6 days or longer. SOD activity was significantly lower in the short survival group than in the long survival group after reperfusion (P < 0.01). During the period of cold preservation, a minimal change in SOD activity was noted, regardless of the length of preservation. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels after reperfusion and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels 1 h after reperfusion were significantly higher in the short survival group than in the long survival group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The difference in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) was significantly greater in the short survival group at 1 h after reperfusion (P < 0.01). The authors conclude that superoxide scavenging activities in the graft reflect the magnitude of reperfusion injury, which can be a reliable parameter for the estimation of graft outcome.