Abstract
Rabbit kidneys were preserved utilizing normothermic (24°C) perfusion. Oxygenation is one of the most important factors for normothermic preservation. For this purpose, two methods of oxygenation were applied. One was oxygen bubbling of the perfusate, and the other was by using hollow-fiber-artificial-lung. These two methods were compared viz á viz the usefulness for maintaining the PO2 levels of the perfusate and for preserving the kidney in good condition. The pH and osmotic pressure of our perfusate with 3% of perfluorochemical (FC-43) were 7.4 and 350mOsm respectively. In the artificial-lung group, the pH, PO2 levels and flow rate of perfusate was well maintained for 24 hours. Histologically, the glomerulus and the renal tubulus of the artificial-lung group were better preserved compared with the findings of the bubbling group.
