Preservation of dog kidneys by hypothermic perfusion with glucose-free and glucose-rich perfusates.

Dog kidneys were perfused for 48 h at 8-10 degrees C with two different perfusion fluids: one fluid rich in glucose, and another in which mannitol was a substitute for glucose. Immediately after reimplantation of the perfused kidneys, contralateral nephrectomy was performed. Kidney function, estimated by serum creatinine, was the same in both groups of animals, and 2 weeks after implantation it was identical to that of dogs with a single normal kidney. In a second series of experiments the renal utilization of glucose and glycogen was studied. Although small amounts of perfusate glucose were metabolized to lactate and CO2, the results of this study indicate that the kidney is not dependent upon glucose for its metabolic needs in order to retain function during 48 h hypothermic preservation.