Background: Perfluorochemicals (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.
Methods: We 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 degrees 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.
Results: PO(2) 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.
Conclusion: HBO-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.