Effect of allopurinol on the preservation of ischemic kidneys perfused with plasma or plasma substitutes.

Canine kidneys were autotransplanted into nephrectomized dogs after exposure to room temperature for 40-90 minutes and preservation for 24 hours by hypothermic bloodless pulsatile perfusiin. Three perfusates were used; cryoprecipitated pooled dogs' plasma, human albumin, and human plasmanate. Perfusion after periods of warm ischemia resulted in irreversible renal damage, unless allopurinol was added to the perfusate and fed to the dogs. Thus, metabolic manipulation is capable of protecting tissues in the face of severe ischemic insult, even when using plasma substitutes for perfusion.