Ultrastructural damage of the pulmonary endothelial cell after storage in lung preservation solutions. Comparison between Belzer and Euro-Collins solutions

The preservation of the lung for transplantation for a long period is still a problem not solved. Euro-Collins (EC) and Belzer (UW) solution are the most widely used. The aim of this work is to analyse the direct influence of both EC and UW solutions on endothelial cells of human pulmonary artery by means of an ultrastructural analysis. The arteries were obtained from 3 patients that underwent pneumonectomy and prepared with the no touch technique. The arteries were divided in 15 specimens and preserved in EC and UW solution at 4 degrees C for 6 and 10 hours. The specimens were fixed in osmic acid veronal buffer 1% and embedded in Durcupan. Ultrastructural examination was done with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the influence of the solutions was evaluated using a grading scale with scores ranging from 0 to 4 that express the damages of the cellular wall, mitochondria and nuclei. The data are expressed as mean +/- standard deviation (n = 5). Student's t-test was used for statistical comparison between the solutions. Results: after 6 hours of preservation in EC and UW the scores were 5.2 +/- 0.45 and 4.8 +/- 0.84 (p = 0.373) while after 10 hours were respectively 8.2 +/- 0.84 and 6.8 +/- 0.84 (p = 0.029). In conclusion our experimental model suggests that there are no significant differences between EC and UW after hypothermic 6 hours preservation while endothelial cells are better preserved after 10 hours in UW solution