Pharmacologic agents of potential value in protecting kidneys from ischemic damage.

Use of metabolic inhibitors has been proven useful in hypothermic anoxic storage. The data are sparse about its effects in machine preservation when the hypothermic organ is oxygenated and metabolizing, although at a slow rate. Concentration of a particular drug is also important. They can, in fact, be injurious at wrong concentrations. Various drugs have been proven to be beneficial in protecting kidneys from ischemic injury. At present, methylprednisolone seems to be the best agent, offering a predictable and complete protection, thereby justifying its use in all donors where there is reasonable suspicion of warm ischemic damage.