Lack of effect of oxygen-radical scavenging systems in the preserved reperfused rabbit kidney.

Previous studies showed the beneficial effects of superoxide dismutase +/- catalase in perfusion-preserved rabbit kidneys but failed to show benefit in flush-cooled organs. The current studies undertook to evaluate scavengers, xanthine oxidase inhibitors, and agents that prevent the release of myeloperoxidase in 3 systems: kidneys preserved by perfusion or by flush cooling for 24 hr, studied immediately, and warm ischemia-injured kidneys evaluated after a 24-hr recovery period. In none of these groups could we demonstrate any protective effects against preservational or warm ischemic injury by the above modalities. Even though biochemical and other evidence from previous studies suggested free radical-induced injury to occur in preserved rabbit kidneys, these studies using renal function as the indicator did not do so.