Applicability of the histidine–tryptophan–ketoglutarate solution as a machine perfusion solution for marginal liver grafts

Abstract

Background and Aim There are very few reports comparing the use of the University of Wisconsin solution and histidine–tryptophan–ketoglutarate solution as machine perfusion solutions for marginal liver grafts. We aimed to clarify whether the use of the histidine–tryptophan–ketoglutarate solution in hypothermic machine perfusion improves the split‐liver graft function in a large animal model. Methods Porcine split‐liver grafts were created by 75% liver resection. Hypothermic machine perfusion experimental groups were divided as follows: Group 1, perfusate, University of Wisconsin gluconate solution (UW group; n = 5), and Group 2, perfusate, histidine–tryptophan–ketoglutarate solution (HTK group; n = 4). After 4 h of preservation, the liver function was evaluated using an isolated liver reperfusion model for 2 h. Results In the HTK group, the portal vein and hepatic artery resistance during hypothermic machine perfusion and the portal vein resistance during isolated liver reperfusion were lower than those in the UW group. In addition, the total Suzuki score for hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury in the HTK group was significantly better than that in the UW group. The number of anti‐ETS‐related genes staining‐positive sinusoid epithelial cell nuclei in the HTK group was higher than that in the UW group (not significant). Conclusions The histidine–tryptophan–ketoglutarate solution can be perfused with lower vascular resistance than the University of Wisconsin solution, reducing shear stress and preventing sinusoid epithelial cell injury in marginal grafts used as split‐liver grafts.