High-Na + low-K + UW cold storage solution reduces reperfusion injuries of the rat liver graft

The isolated perfused rat liver model was used to assess graft viability after 24 h of cold preservation. Two solutions were compared for liver preservation: Belzer's original UW solution (high-K ⁺ UW) and a solution containing the same components but with inverted concentrations of sodium and potassium (high-Na ⁺ UW). During the 120 min of normothermic reperfusion, livers preserved in the high-Na ⁺ UW solution released lower levels of creatine kinase-BB isoenzyme, transaminases (ALT and AST), and potassium than those preserved in the high-K ⁺ UW solution. Bile flow and biliary excretion of indocyanine green increased when livers were preserved in the high-Na ⁺ UW solution. We found no statistical differences for oxygen consumption and tissue ATP concentration. The results of this study support the concept that a high-Na ⁺ UW solution is a more effective means of preserving rat livers, at least after 24 h of cold-storage and 120 min of reperfusion in the isolated perfused model, than the original high-K ⁺ UW solution. Liver preservation in the high-Na ⁺ UW solution reduces damage to sinusoidal endothelial and hepatocellular cells. The use of an extracellular-like Belzer cold storage solution eliminates potassium-related problems in cold preservation and subsequent normothermic reperfusion while keeping all the qualities of the original UW solution. Received: 26 August 1997 Received after revision: 12 November 1997 Accepted: 28 November 1997