48 h Normothermic Machine Perfusion With Urine Recirculation for Discarded Human Kidney Grafts.

Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) has reshaped organ preservation in recent years. In this preclinical study, prolonged normothermic perfusions of discarded human kidney grafts were performed in order to investigate perfusion dynamics and identify potential quality and assessment indicators. Five human discarded kidney grafts were perfused normothermically (37°C) for 48 h using the Kidney Assist device with a red-blood-cell based perfusate with urine recirculation. Perfusion dynamics, perfusate and urine composition as well as injury markers were measured and analyzed. Donor age ranged from 41 to 68 years. All but one kidney were from brain dead donors. Perfusions were performed successfully for 48 h with all discarded kidneys. Median arterial flow ranged from 405 to 841 mL/min. All kidneys excreted urine until the end of perfusion (median 0.43 mL/min at the end of perfusion). While sodium levels were consistently lower in urine compared to perfusate samples, this was only seen for chloride and potassium in kidney KTX 2. Lactate, AST, LDH as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines increased over time, especially in kidneys KTX 3 and 4. Ex vivo normothermic perfusion is able to identify patterns of perfusion, biological function, and changes in inflammatory markers in heterogenous discarded kidney grafts.

Hemodynamics and Metabolic Parameters in Normothermic Kidney Preservation Are Linked With Donor Factors, Perfusate Cells, and Cytokines.

Kidney transplantation is the best renal-replacement option for most patients with end-stage renal disease. Normothermic machine preservation (NMP) of the kidney has been studied extensively during the last two decades and implemented in clinical trials. Biomarker research led to success in identifying molecules with diagnostic, predictive and therapeutic properties in chronic kidney disease. However, perfusate biomarkers and potential predictive mechanisms in NMP have not been identified yet. Twelve discarded human kidneys (n = 7 DBD, n = 5 DCD) underwent NMP for up to 24 h. Eight were perfused applying urine recirculation (URC), four with replacement of urine (UR) using Ringer's lactate. The aim of our study was to investigate biomarkers (NGAL, KIM-1, and L-FABP), cells and cytokines in the perfusate in context with donor characteristics, perfusate hemodynamics and metabolic parameters. Cold ischemia time did not correlate with any of the markers. Perfusates of DBD kidneys had a significantly lower number of leukocytes after 6 h of NMP compared to DCD. Arterial flow, pH, NGAL and L-FABP correlated with donor creatinine and eGFR. Arterial flow was higher in kidneys with lower perfusate lactate. Perfusate TNF-α was higher in kidneys with lower arterial flow. The cytokines IL-1ß and GM-CSF decreased during 6 h of NMP. Kidneys with more urine output had lower perfusate KIM-1 levels. Median and 6-h values of lactate, arterial flow, pH, NGAL, KIM-1, and L-FABP correlated with each other indicating a 6-h period being applicable for kidney viability assessment. The study results demonstrate a comparable cytokine and cell profile in perfusates with URC and UR. In conclusion, clinically available perfusate and hemodynamic parameters correlate well with donor characteristics and measured biomarkers in a discarded human NMP model.