The evaluation of synthetic oxygen carriers by perfusion of isolated rat liver.

The perfluorochemical FC-80 emulsion was added as oxygen carrier to a synthetic medium used for perfusion of isolated rat liver. The oxygen carrying function of FC-80 was evaluated from measurements of serum albumin synthesis and incorporation of 14C-lysine into the proteins in the medium. The effect of changes in flow rate of the medium on the evaluation of FC-80 was investigated. The results show that there is a correlation between the serum protein synthesis and the oxygen supply only when the liver is hypoxic. In hypoxic liver both the addition of FC-80 and the increase of the flow rate improve the oxygen supply which is indicated by increased serum protein synthesis. The effect of FC-80 on serum protein synthesis is different at different flow rates. For the evaluation of the oxygen carrying function of FC emulsions from the metabolic function of the liver such a flow rate and affluent PO2 are optimal in which the FC is a limiting factor for sufficient oxygen supply.