Original Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 7, 2010; 16(45): 5701-5709
Published online Dec 7, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i45.5701
Redefining the properties of an osmotic agent in an intestinal-specific preservation solution
Kimberly Schlachter, Matthew S Kokotilo, Jodi Carter, Aducio Thiesen, Angela Ochs, Rachel G Khadaroo, Thomas A Churchill
Kimberly Schlachter, Matthew S Kokotilo, Angela Ochs, Rachel G Khadaroo, Thomas A Churchill, Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2B7, Canada
Jodi Carter, Aducio Thiesen, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2B7, Canada
Author contributions: Schlachter K performed analysis, analyzed the data and wrote the paper; Kokotilo MS performed analysis and wrote the paper; Carter J and Thiesen A performed analysis of histology; Ochs A participated in analysis and wrote the paper; Khadaroo RG wrote and contributed to the concept of the study; Churchill TA was principle investigator, designed the study, analyzed the data and wrote the paper.
Supported by Operating funds awarded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (to Churchill TA); and salary award from Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (to Kokotilo MS)
Correspondence to: Thomas A Churchill, PhD, Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, 2D2.28 Walter Mackenzie Center, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2B7, Canada. tachurch@ualberta.ca
Telephone: +1-780-4073697 Fax: +1-780-4077394
Received: June 3, 2010
Revised: July 13, 2010
Accepted: July 20, 2010
Published online: December 7, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effects of dextrans of various molecular weights (Mw) during a 12 h cold storage time-course on energetics, histology and mucosal infiltration of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran.

METHODS: Rodent intestines were isolated and received a standard University of Wisconsin vascular flush followed by intraluminal administration of a nutrient-rich preservation solution containing dextrans of varying Mw: Group D1, 73 kdal; Group D2, 276 kdal; Group D3, 534 kdal; Group D4, 1185 kdal; Group D5, 2400 kdal.

RESULTS: Using FITC-labeled dextrans, fluorescent micrographs demonstrated varying degrees of mucosal infiltration; lower Mw (groups D1-D3: 73-534 kdal) dextrans penetrated the mucosa as early as 2 h, whereas the largest dextran (D5: 2400 kdal) remained captive within the lumen and exhibited no permeability even after 12 h. After 12 h, median injury grades ranged from 6.5 to 7.5 in groups D1-D4 (73-1185 kdal) representing injury of the regenerative cryptal regions and submucosa; this was in contrast to group D5 (2400 kdal) which exhibited villus denudation (with intact crypts) corresponding to a median injury grade of 4 (P < 0.05). Analysis of tissue energetics reflected a strong positive correlation between Mw and adenosine triphosphate (r2 = 0.809), total adenylates (r2 = 0.865) and energy charge (r2 = 0.667).

CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that dextrans of Mw > 2400 kdal act as true impermeant agents during 12 h ischemic storage when incorporated into an intraluminal preservation solution.

Keywords: Intraluminal preservation solution; Intestinal-specific; Osmotic impermeant; Organ preservation; Cold storage