Relevance of epidermal growth factor to improve steatotic liver preservation in IGL-1 solution

Aim

Static preservation solution is critical for liver graft outcomes, especially when steatosis is present. Institut Georges Lopez (IGL)-1 solution protects fatty livers effectively against cold ischemia reperfusion injury. Its benefits are mediated by nitric oxide and prevention of oxidative stress. The supplementation of IGL-1 with epidermal growth factor (EGF) enhances steatotic graft preservation by increasing adenosine triphosphate content, thereby mitigating oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage.

Methods

After steatotic livers were preserved for 24 hours in IGL-1 solution with or without EGF supplements, they were perfused ex vivo for 2 hours at 37°C. The benefits of EGF were assessed by evidences of hepatic damage and function—transaminases, bile production, and flow rate—as well as by other factors presumably associated with the poor tolerance of fatty livers toward cold ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI)—energy metabolism, mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, eNOS activity and proinflammatory interleukin (IL) beta content.

Results

Steatotic livers preserved in IGL-1 solutions supplemented with EGF (10 μg/L) showed lower transaminase levels, greater bile production, and ameliorated flow rates when compared to IGL-1 alone. In addition, energy metabolism deterioration, mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, and cytokine IL-1 beta release were prevented.

Conclusion

EGF addition to IGL-1 increased fatty liver graft preservation, thereby reducing steatotic liver damage against cold IRI.