Experimental renal preservation with glucose-free perfusate.

Dog kidneys were preserved for 48 hours by hypothermic perfusion with either a glucose-rich or a glucose-free albumin perfusate. After reimplantation and contralateral nephrectomy renal function was assessed by serum creatinine determinations. The kidneys showed normal function and no difference between the two groups was found. The results suggest that glucose is of minor importance as a metabolic substrate for dog kidney preservation.