Adenine nucleotide levels in preserved and ischemically injured canine kidneys

Abstract

Abstract This study explored the relationship between adenine nucleotide levels in canine renal cortex and renal function following: (a) graded periods of warm ischemia; (b) 48 hours' flush cooling with electrolyte solutions and ice storage; and (c) continuous hypothermic perfusion. Exposure to normothermic ischemia resulted in a rapid (within 15 minutes) degradation of ATP to ADP and AMP as well as a slow decline in total adenine nucleotide (TAN) to levels which were proportional to the duration of the ischemic injury. No functional impairment was evident after 15 minutes' ischemia, but with longer times, both the extent of decline in TAN and the degree of recovery following restoration of blood flow could be used to predict the quality of renal function. The relationship between TAN levels and function was of less predictive value following cold storage or continuous perfusion. The efficacy of intracellular flush solutions could not be attributed solely to conservation of TAN, nor did the well‐maintained TAN levels during continuous perfusion necessarily lead to significantly better 48‐hour storage than flush cooling with C2 solution.