The effect of carnitine on preservation of renal cold ischemia in rats

Background: Although, University of Wisconsin (UW) solution is referred to as the gold standard for the preservation from cold ischemia, studies that aiming to protract the cold ischemia time still goes on. This study was planned to evaluate the effectiveness of carnitine that is added to UW solution on renal cold ischemia time. Methods: Thirty two male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups of 8 each; Control, UW, carnitine with Ringer Lactate (RL) and UW groups. Retrieved renal grafts were preserved in solutions at +4C after perfusion. At the same time tissue samples of 72th hour was assessed to measure Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Preservation solution samples were assessed at 0th, 24th, 48th, and 72th hours to measure Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. Tissue injury was histologically scored by evaluating the hematoxilen-eosin stained paraffin sections. Results: Administration of carnitine to preservation solutions decreased the mean tissue MDA levels in groups 2 and 4. Carnitine administration slowed the increase of LDH levels in preservation solutions as well as the histopathological total tissue injury scores. Discussion: We conclude that the addition of carnitine to UW solution increased the preventive effect of preservative solution on cold ischemia injury of kidney. Keywords: Kidney; Cold Preservation; University of Wisconsin; Ringer Lactate