INDUCTION OF ORGAN DYSFUNCTION AND UP-REGULATION OF INFLAMMATORY MARKERS IN THE LIVER AND KIDNEYS OF HYPOTENSIVE BRAIN DEAD RATS: A MODEL TO STUDY MARGINAL ORGAN DONORS1,2

Abstract

These findings suggest that an immune activation with increased endothelial cell activation and immediate early gene expression occurs in marginal donors after brain death induction. We suggest that brain death should not longer be regarded as a given nondeleterious condition but as a dynamic process with potential detrimental effects on donor organs that could predispose grafts for increased alloreactivity after transplantation.