Improved renal preservation with PB-3 flush solution during 72 h of cold storage.

Previously, PB-2 flush solution has been found to be superior to Collins 2 solution (C-2) in extending renal viability in the dog. To further characterize preservation mechanisms, we studied mitochondrial oxidative function during 72 h of cold storage comparing PB-3, UW-1, and C-2 flush storage solutions. Complex 1 dependent mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (MOP) was found to be significantly less (P < 0.001) at 5 h and 72 h of cold storage (P < 0.001) for the C-2 compared to the other flush groups. Complex 2 dependent MOP had parallel results, having significantly less function (P < 0.002) at 5 h and 72 h (P < 0.02) of cold storage in the C-2 group compared to the other groups. PB-3 and UW-1 solutions were noted to be comparable, suggesting possible equivalent preservation efficacy. Nevertheless the components of PB-3 at the level of MOP contributed significantly to better preservation compared to C-2 solution.