The second generation of Carolina Rinse, solution II, improves graft survival following orthotopic liver transplantation in the rat by preventing reperfusion injury.

Abstract

Carolina Rinse solution was designed to minimize reperfusion injury following orthotopic liver transplantation. Carolina Rinse blocks reperfusion-induced endothelial cell killing, diminishes postoperative enzyme release and improves survival dramatically. Adenosine and mildly acidotic pH were identified as key components. Here we report results with a simplified formulation, Carolina Rinse II, which contains extracellular inorganic ions similar to Ringer's solution, adenosine, as well as antioxidants and radical scavengers (allopurinol, glutathione and desferrioxamine). In this study, 44 rat livers were explanted and stored for 12 h in University of Wisconsin (UW) cold storage solution (non-survival conditions). Control livers were rinsed with 15 ml cold Ringer's solution just prior to completion of implantation surgery. In this control group, average 30-day survival was poor (8%). However, survival was increased to around 60% when grafts were rinsed with Carolina Rinse II. Survival was not improved significantly by rinsing the graft with Ringer's solution containing antioxidants and radical scavengers with adenosine omitted (about 30%). Peak SGOT values of nearly 3000 U/l, measured 1-3 days postoperatively in the Ringer's rinse control group, were decreased 4- to 5-fold both by Carolina Rinse II and by Ringer's solution containing antioxidants. On the other hand, the addition of adenosine to Ringer's solution improved survival (around 60%) but did not decrease the postoperative elevation of serum enzymes significantly. Thus, it appears that adenosine was necessary for optimal survival whereas antioxidants and radical scavengers were needed to prevent injury to the transplanted graft. These data were consistent with the hypothesis that at least two mechanisms, one involving the liver and a second one non-hepatic, are responsible for post-transplant pathophysiology. Carolina Rinse II also reduced the postoperative elevation in serum enzymes 2- to 3-fold in livers stored under survival conditions (e.g., for 8 h in UW solution). This study demonstrated convincingly that a very simple rinse solution, Carolina Rinse II, improved survival significantly and minimized graft injury following orthotopic liver transplantation.