Zou Guowen, Jiang Lei, Xu Bin, Xu Jingyuan, Zeng Zhikai, Xia Lingchun, Tang Jian, Yu Bentong
Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
National Regional Center for Respiratory Medicine, China Japan Friendship Jiangxi Hospital, Nanchang, China.
J Thorac Dis. 2024 Nov 30;16(11):7941-7957. doi: 10.21037/jtd-24-1754. Epub 2024 Nov 29.
The scarcity of viable donor lungs is a formidable obstacle in lung transplantation (LTx) surgery. This issue significantly hinders the availability of this life-saving procedure for patients in need. To alleviate this shortage, researchers have turned to ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) technology as a means to evaluate and potentially repair marginal donor lungs, thereby increasing the donor pool and improving access to transplantation. However, it is important to note that the current capabilities of EVLP technology are still somewhat limited, and further research, development, and optimization are necessary to maximize its potential. To advance this field of study, animal experiments play a crucial role in providing a controlled environment for exploring the possibilities and limitations of EVLP. Among the various animal models available, the small animal EVLP platform for rats stands out by virtue of its simplicity, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. This platform offers researchers a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into the workings of EVLP and its potential applications in LTx. However, conducting these experiments is not without its challenges. The complexity of the procedure requires a deep understanding of the relevant considerations and operational skills. To ensure the success of these experiments, it is essential that researchers have a comprehensive grasp of the intricacies involved. Drawing upon our practical experience over the past 3 years, our Jiangxi team has systematically refined and summarized the specific details of a rat EVLP experiment in this paper. It encompasses a comprehensive overview of the experimental setup, procedural steps, and potential pitfalls that should be kept in mind. We believe that this information will serve as a valuable resource for researchers in the field, providing them with a solid foundation upon which to build their own experiments and further advance the study of EVLP in LTx.
在肺移植（LTx）手术中，可用供体肺的稀缺是一个巨大障碍。这一问题严重阻碍了这一挽救生命的手术为有需要的患者提供。为缓解这种短缺，研究人员已转向体外肺灌注（EVLP）技术，以此来评估并可能修复边缘供体肺，从而增加供体库并改善移植机会。然而，需要注意的是，EVLP技术目前的能力仍有一定局限，还需要进一步研究、开发和优化，以充分发挥其潜力。为推动这一研究领域的发展，动物实验在提供可控环境以探索EVLP的可能性和局限性方面发挥着关键作用。在现有的各种动物模型中，大鼠小型动物EVLP平台因其简单、方便和成本效益高而脱颖而出。该平台为研究人员提供了一个独特机会，使其能够深入了解EVLP的运作及其在LTx中的潜在应用。然而，进行这些实验并非没有挑战。该程序的复杂性需要对相关注意事项和操作技能有深入理解。为确保这些实验成功，研究人员全面掌握其中的复杂细节至关重要。基于我们过去3年的实践经验，我们江西团队在本文中系统地提炼并总结了大鼠EVLP实验的具体细节。它涵盖了实验设置、程序步骤以及应牢记的潜在陷阱的全面概述。我们相信这些信息将成为该领域研究人员的宝贵资源，为他们开展自己的实验并进一步推进LTx中EVLP的研究提供坚实基础。
