Effects of trehalose in canine lung preservation.

Abstract

The effect of trehalose on the preservation of canine lungs was studied with the use of Euro-Collins solution (ECS). In group 1, five lungs were perfused and preserved with a modified ECS in which trehalose (35.0 gm/L) was used instead of glucose. In group 2, six lungs were perfused and preserved with a modified ECS in which glucose was replaced by 70.0 gm/L trehalose. In group 3, six lungs were perfused and preserved with ECS. After preservation for 12 hours, left lung transplantation was performed. The PaO2 values in groups 1 and 2 at 130 minutes after reperfusion were 264.9 and 257.5 mm Hg, respectively. These PaO2 values were significantly higher than the corresponding PaO2 value in group 3 (114.8 mm Hg). All the transplanted lungs in groups 1 and 2 had normal structures on histologic examination, whereas five of the group 3 lungs showed severe pulmonary edema. These findings show that trehalose is effective in the preservation of lungs for 12 hours.