Effect of hyperbarically oxygenated-perfluorochemical with University of Wisconsin solution on preservation of rat small intestine using an original pressure-resistant portable apparatus

BackgroundPerfluorochemicals (PFC) are chemical substances that have a higher oxygen solubility under hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) pressure. This study investigated the effect of cold HBO-PFC/University of Wisconsin (UW) solution on preservation of rat small intestinal graft.MethodsWe manufactured an air-tight, pressure-resistant tank made of stainless steel with high thermal conductivity. Rat ileal grafts were placed in a custom-made silicon-gum bag with UW solution, which was immersed in 5 atm HBO-PFC solution in the tank (Group P-5). The tank was kept at 4 °C. We compared the ATP concentration and mucosal permeability in Group P-5 with grafts preserved in 1 atm oxygenated-PFC/UW solution (Group P-1) and simple cold storage in UW solution (Group C). Histologic study was also performed.ResultsPO2 in UW solution after 48 h preservation were 1852 ± 37, 499 ± 13, and 173 ± 3 mmHg (Group P-5, P-1 and C, respectively, mean ± SD). At 48 h of preservation, graft ATP concentration was significantly greater in Group P-5 compared to that in Group P-1 and Group C. Mucosal hyperpermeability as well as mucosal morphologic changes were also ameliorated in Group P-5.ConclusionHBO-PFC can supply a greater amount of oxygen to UW solution. Indirect measures of oxygen metabolism such as ATP content and lactate production suggested improvement in maintaining graft oxygen metabolism.