[In vitro endothelial dysfunction after cold storage: comparison with various preservative solutions].

Optimal solution for endothelial function preservation during cold storage for organ transplant has not yet been defined. To assess this issue, rat aortic rings (n = 28) were stored for 4 hours at 4 degrees C in different preservation solutions: Krebs Ringer (KR), normal saline (NS), rat blood (RB), and the University of Wisconsin solution (UW). Subsequently, rings were suspended in organ chambers for endothelial and smooth muscle assessment. Endothelial-dependent relaxation responses were tested by exposure to cumulative doses of acetylcholine (ACH), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and histamine (HIS). Smooth muscle function was evaluated by exposure to norepinephrine (NE) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). A fifth group not submitted to a storage period was used as control (CTL, n = 7). Results are expressed as maximal relaxation (%) from initial precontraction level. Compared to the CTL group, all storage groups showed a significant decrease in endothelial-dependent relaxations to ACH, ADP and HIS (p < 0.05). Among the stored groups, endothelial-dependent relaxation to ACH was significantly decreased in the NS group when compared to the UW group (p < 0.05). Endothelial-independent relaxation to SNP was comparable for all groups. However significant hypercontractility to NE was observed for all stored groups compared to the control group (p < 0.01). A significant decrease in ADP response was observed with NS and RB storage when compared to KR (p < 0.01). In conclusion, cold storage affects both endothelial and smooth muscle function by decreasing endothelial-dependent responses to ACH, ADP and HIS and increasing smooth muscle reactivity to NE. However, endothelial dysfunction was lessened with UW or KR storage compared to NS or RB.