Comparative effects of University of Wisconsin and Euro-Collins solutions on pulmonary mitochondrial function after ischemia and reperfusion

Resistance of isolated pulmonary mitochondria during in vitro anoxia/reoxygenation

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of in vitro anoxia/reoxygenation on the oxidative phosphorylation of isolated lung mitochondria. Mitochondria were isolated after harvesting from fresh pig lungs flushed with Euro-Collins solution. Mitochondrial respiratory parameters were determined in isolated mitochondria before anoxia (control), after 5-45 min anoxia followed by 5 min reoxygenation, and after 25 or 40 min of in vitro incubation in order to follow the in vitro aging of mitochondria during respiratory assays. Respiratory parameters measured after anoxia/reoxygenation did not show any oxidative phosphorylation dysfunction, indicating a high resistance of pulmonary mitochondria to in vitro anoxia/reoxygenation (up to 45 min anoxia). These results indicate that mitochondria are not directly responsible of their oxidative phosphorylation damage observed after in vivo ischemia (K. Willet et al., Transplantation 69 (2000) 582) but are a target of others cellular injuries leading to mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo.

Effects of cold and warm ischemia on the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation of swine lung

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to investigate the consequence of warm and cold ischemia on lung mitochondria in order to define bioenergetic limits within lung could be suitable for pulmonary transplantation.

METHODS

Twenty-two pigs underwent lung harvesting after lung flush with Euro-Collins solution. Mitochondria were isolated from fresh lungs, from lungs submitted to 24 or 48 hr of cold ischemia, to 30 or 45 min of warm ischemia, and to 30 min of warm ischemia followed by 24 or 48 hr of cold ischemia. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation parameters were determined in isolated mitochondria by in vitro measurement of oxygen consumption.

RESULTS

Relative to controls, mitochondria submitted to cold ischemia showed an alteration in the oxidoreductase activities of the respiratory chain but no membrane permeability alteration. After 48 hr of cold ischemia, there was a decrease in the yield of the oxidative phosphorylation. Thirty minutes of warm ischemia did not alter the mitochondrial respiratory parameters. However, lung submitted to 45 min of warm ischemia showed mitochondrial damage as a decrease in the oxidative phosphorylation efficiency and ADP availability but no change in the oxidoreductase activities. Relative to cold ischemia alone, 30 min of warm ischemia preceding cold ischemia promoted no significant change in the respiratory parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

On bioenergetic basis, lung submitted to warm ischemia could be suitable for transplantation if the warm ischemia duration does not exceed 30 min. This could be a major concern in lung procurement from non-heart beating donors.

EGb 761 protects liver mitochondria against injury induced by in vitro anoxia/reoxygenation

The present study investigated the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on rat liver mitochondrial damage induced by in vitro anoxia/reoxygenation. Anoxia/reoxygenation was known to impair respiratory activities and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation efficiency. ADP/O (2.57 +/- 0.11) decreased after anoxia/reoxygenation (1.75 +/- 0.09, p < .01), as well as state 3 and uncoupled respiration (-20%, p < .01), but state 4 respiration increased (p < .01). EGb 761 (50-200 microg/ml) had no effect on mitochondrial functions before anoxia, but had a specific dose-dependent protective effect after anoxia/reoxygenation. When mitochondria were incubated with 200 microg/ml EGb 761, they showed an increase in ADP/O (2.09 +/- 0.14, p < .05) and a decrease in state 4 respiration (-22%) after anoxia/reoxygenation. In EPR spin-trapping measurement, EGb 761 decreased the EPR signal of superoxide anion produced during reoxygenation. In conclusion, EGb 761 specially protects mitochondrial ATP synthesis against anoxia/reoxygenation injury by scavenging the superoxide anion generated by mitochondria.