Summary Static cold storage (SCS) is the standard method for pancreas preservation prior to transplantation; however, it does not permit organ assessment. Normothermic reperfusion (NR) is utilized clinically for other organs to assess viability. Our aim was to develop NR using normothermic machine perfusion technique to simulate reperfusion at the time of transplantation, enabling evaluation of oxygenated hypothermic machine perfusion (HMPO2) as a newer strategy to optimize pancreas preservation. 13 porcine pancreases procured after circulatory death were divided into 3 groups: 4 pancreases preserved using SCS, and 2 groups preserved by HMPO2 (n = 4 and n = 5, differing by type of preservation solution). Duration of perfusion or cold storage was 6 hours before the 1‐hour assessment using NR. Outcome measures were perfusion characteristics, biochemistry and change in tissue water mass as oedema assessment. During NR, the HMPO2 groups demonstrated better perfusion characteristics, normal macroscopic appearances, decreased water mass and one HMPO2 group demonstrated a response to glucose stimulation. Conversely, the SCS group showed an increased water mass and developed early macroscopic appearances of oedema, interstitial haemorrhage and minimal portal outflow. This study suggests that ex situ assessment of pancreases by NR is promising, and that HMPO2 may be better than SCS.

Background: Advances in organ preservation, reconditioning and assessment have been driven by the increasing necessity to utilise organs from extended criteria donors, particularly donors after circulatory death. Research efforts in this area have aided translation of machine perfusion technology into clinical practice. Pigs are anatomically and physiologically similar to humans and are an excellent model. However, conducting large animal experimental research is challenging and typically limited by ethical and economic constraints. Here we describe a reproducible, cost-effective multi-organ abdominal procurement model of porcine organs from the slaughterhouse. Methods: Domestic pigs are electrically stunned and exsanguinated following the standard abattoir process. Via a longitudinal midline incision, the thoracoabdominal viscera are removed en bloc by incising along the anterior vertebral plane. The abdominal organs are isolated, perfused and separated preserving their respective vasculature, allowing individual organ use for specific experiments. Results:The warm ischaemic time is kept between 15-30 minutes. Using this highly protocolized procurement technique we have procured 12 livers, 162 kidneys and 12 pancreata for research, the majority of which have been utilized for ex situ perfusion experiments. Conclusions:We have described a reliable and reproducible procedure for abdominal multi-organ procurement from slaughterhouse pigs.

HighlightsThe circadian behaviour of two models of lysosomal storage disorders were examined.Npc1 mutant mice show no core circadian defects.Hexb knockouts show potential circadian activity disturbances.Contrasting pathology in LSDs may differentially contribute to circadian regulation.