Relevance of epidermal growth factor to improve steatotic liver preservation in IGL-1 solution.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Static preservation solution is critical for liver graft outcomes, especially when steatosis is present. Institut Georges Lopez (IGL)-1 solution protects fatty livers effectively against cold ischemia reperfusion injury. Its benefits are mediated by nitric oxide and prevention of oxidative stress. The supplementation of IGL-1 with epidermal growth factor (EGF) enhances steatotic graft preservation by increasing adenosine triphosphate content, thereby mitigating oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage. METHODS: After steatotic livers were preserved for 24 hours in IGL-1 solution with or without EGF supplements, they were perfused ex vivo for 2 hours at 37°C. The benefits of EGF were assessed by evidences of hepatic damage and function--transaminases, bile production, and flow rate--as well as by other factors presumably associated with the poor tolerance of fatty livers toward cold ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI)--energy metabolism, mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, eNOS activity and proinflammatory interleukin (IL) beta content. RESULTS: Steatotic livers preserved in IGL-1 solutions supplemented with EGF (10 µg/L) showed lower transaminase levels, greater bile production, and ameliorated flow rates when compared to IGL-1 alone. In addition, energy metabolism deterioration, mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, and cytokine IL-1 beta release were prevented. CONCLUSION: EGF addition to IGL-1 increased fatty liver graft preservation, thereby reducing steatotic liver damage against cold IRI.