Donor organ preservation fluids differ in their effect on endothelial cell function.

Successful organ transplantation depends on adequate preservation of cellular function. We tested the effect of four commonly used donor organ preservation fluids on the ability of cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells to release endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). Columns of endothelial cells grown on microcarrier beads were exposed to either University of Wisconsin (Belzer's) solution, Marshall's preservation fluid, Euro-Collins solution, or a blood-based preservation fluid at 4 degrees C for 6 hours, and then to Krebs-Henseleit buffer at 37 degrees C for 1 hour. They were then stimulated with boluses of bradykinin, and the EDRF released was detected by bioassay. The release of EDRF from endothelial cells previously exposed to a preservation fluid was compared with the release of EDRF from control columns of cells perfused throughout at 37 degrees C with Krebs-Henseleit buffer. Previous exposure to any of the three non-blood-based preservation fluids did not attenuate bradykinin-stimulated EDRF release. By contrast, previous perfusion with the blood-based solution completely inhibited EDRF release (p less than 0.01, ANOVA), an effect attributable to the acidity of the solution. Donor organ preservation fluids differ in their effect on endothelial cell function, and this has important implications for lung and for other organ transplantation.