The effect of organ preservation solutions on kidney tubular and endothelial cells

Organ preservation solutions have primarily been tested in whole organ animal models. In the current study, we have examined the effect of commonly used organ preservation solutions on both kidney tubular and endothelial cells. Primary human endothelial and kidney tubular cells were incubated at 4 degrees C in the following solutions: 0.9% saline (NS), EuroCollins (EC). University of Wisconsin (UW), or Hank's balanced salts with 5% polyethylene glycol (PEG). Cell viability was assessed by colorometric measurement of mitochondrial reduction of 3 (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2-,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) to purple 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan. After hypothermic storage, cells were incubated at 37 degrees C in media with MTT, and the amount of reduced formazan present was quantified. Endothelial cells preserved in PEG displayed the best viability (P < 0.05). UW provided better cellular viability than EC or NS (P < 0.05). Control endothelial cells preserved in culture media at 37 degrees C displayed the highest absorbance values (P < 0.01). For kidney tubular cells, UW and PEG provided the best cellular protection (P < 0.05). Control kidney tubular cells cultured in complete media at 37 degrees C displayed the highest absorbance values (P < 0.01). Although the model presented here was not part of a truly morphological study, it may be more reliable for the rapid assessment of preservation-induced cell injury than models presented in previous morphological studies and may help in the development of improved preservation techniques.