Best temperature for static liver graft storage is 1°C

BackgroundThe best storage temperature in liver transplantation remains an unsolved question.MethodsAfter storage for 24 h in University of Wisconsin solution at +4°C, +1°C, or −0.5°C, rat livers were subjected, or not, to 15 min of warm ischemia, rinsed with Ringer lactate, and subsequently reperfused with oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer.ResultsIn the presence of warm ischemia, for livers stored at +4°C, creatine kinase (CK) peaked at 21 ± 5 IU g−1 h−1, hepatic resistance at 34,700 ± 1500 dyn s cm−5, bile flow reached 18 ± 4 μL g−1 h−1 after 10 min, and oxygen consumption stabilized at about 25 μmol g−1 h−1 after 20 min. When livers were stored at +1°C, CK and hepatic resistance were lowered, bile production was 33 ± 6 μL g−1 h−1 (P < 0.05 versus +4°C), and oxygen consumption was 105 ± 10 μmol g−1 h−1 (P < 0.001). For livers stored at −0.5°C, results were not statistically different from those of the +1°C group except for bile flow, which was significantly lower. Without warm ischemia, the peak of CK (P = 0.015) and the peak hepatic resistance (P < 0.001) of the +4°C group were significantly increased compared with the +1°C or −0.5°C groups. However, no difference in bile flow or oxygen consumption was observed. The number of trypan blue-positive nonparenchymal cells (P = 0.003) and the gain in liver weight during the reperfusion (P = 0.015) were minimal after storage at +1°C.ConclusionsStatic storage at +1°C improved liver function compared with +4°C or −0.5°C. Main beneficial effect was observed with parameters reflecting sinusoidal cells injury.