Morphometric study of centrilobular vessels in the rat liver after continuous hypothermic perfusion with Euro-Collins and University of Wisconsin solution

Abstract

Damage to the hepatic microcirculation plays an important part in the preservation-related loss of graft viability. In a study on the isolated, hypothermically preserved rat liver perfused continuously with Euro-Collins and University of Wisconsin solution (gluconate substituted for lactobionate) at different flow rates we determined changes in diameter of central veins and pericentral sinusoids and related them to weight changes. While post-perfusion liver weight increased with Euro-Collins and decreased with University of Wisconsin solution, weight changes did not vary significantly with different flow rates. Changes in sinusoidal diameter depended on the type of solution as well as on the flow rate. Cell swelling under Euro-Collins perfusion leads to compression of pericentral sinusoids, which varies in degree with different flow rates. Perfusion with University of Wisconsin solution under near-normal flow, due to slight shrinking of parenchymal cells, keeps the sinusoidal lumina wide open. We conclude that there is a causal relationship between perfusion-dependent cell swelling and reduction in sectional area of the hepatic microvasculature. Continuous hypothermic perfusion with University of Wisconsin solution at physiologic flow rates excellently preserves the size and trabecular architecture of hepatocytes and thereby the sinusoidal lumina within the hepatic lobules.