Modified University of Wisconsin Solution With Melatonin and the Its Efficacy of Kidney Preservation Time

Organ transplantation solutions are used for protection of organ functions for a long time. In order to provide long lasting time period for organ preservation, donor organs are kept in special preservation solutions such as University of Wisconsin (UW), Histidine‐Triptophane‐Ketogluterate (HTK) and Celcior solutions. Although UW is the most preferred solution, preservation time even for the kidney tissue, has not exceeded over 36 hours. The aim of this study is to extend the preservation time and also provide more effective protection. In order to provide better preservation, the ingredients of the UW solution were changed (Mod UW), as well as melatonin was included (Mod UW+M) in the preservation medium. Time‐related morphological changes of rat kidneys in UW (group I), Modified UW (group II) and Modified UW+Melatonin (Mod UW+M) (group III) were comparatively investigated within this study. Totally perfused kidneys were removed and placed in UW, Mod UW and Mod UW +M solutions and kept during 2, 10, 24 and 72 h at 4° C. Kidney tissue samples were taken at all given time intervals and these samples were prepared for paraffin sections. Kidney tissue samples, taken at 72nd hour, were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and prepared for epoxy resin embedding. Histopathological scoring system were performed for light microscopical evaluation by using a scale ranging from 0 to 3 (0: none; 1: mild; 2: moderate; and 3:severe) for each criterion. Histopathological parameters were renal injury, based on tubular and glomerular degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration and vasocongestion. Liquid samples, taken at 2, 10, 24 and 72 h at 4° C from the storage media, investigated for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity which was measured using standard chemistry method (Siemens ADVIA 1800 chemistry System). Comparative findings at light and transmission electron microscopical levels revealed that preservation in Mod UW+M solution was statistically much more prominent in all time intervals, significantly at 72nd hour of preservation. In all groups, LDH levels were consistent with morphological results. We could conclude that Mod UW+M was the most effective solution among the experimental groups, especially suitable for preservation up to 72 h. In this study, the important efficacies of UW solution, a better protectant and melatonin, an effective agent to be used in such systems, were highlighted.