Alteration of the ultrastructure of the pig liver after a continuous perfusion of six hours in vitro.

Livers of mini LEWE pigs were perfused continuously for 6 h on a novel perfusion system through the portal vein (laminar flow from 200 to 300 ml/min, pressure 270 Pa) and through the A. hepatica (pulsating flow from 100 to 200 ml/min, pressure: 10.6/5.5 kPa). The following perfusion media were used for determining the best conservation conditions at 10 to 12 degrees C: Pig blood/Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer 1:1; Pig blood/Ringer lactate solution 1:1; Pig plasma; Collins C 2 perfusion solution. After perfusion with Collins C 2 solution the hepatocytes show swelling and dilation of the granular endoplasmic reticulum; after perfusion with the other solutions the changes of the hepatocytes are negligible. The alterations of the sinusoidal wall cells depend on the perfusion pressure and flow and the composition of the solution. After continuous perfusion the sinusoidal walls are characterized by vesicles of endothelial cells, dilatation of the Disse space and fragmentation of hepatic microvilli.