Mitochondrial DNA and Ischemia Reperfusion Injury: Development of an Experimental Extra Corporeal Lung Perfusion (EVLP) Rat Model

Ex-vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is a tool to evaluate and recover marginal grafts in lung transplant (LuTx). Nevertheless, EVLP is still not a reconditioning so that the ischemic damage worsens over time during perfusion. Steen solution is the gold standard in this setting, and its composition is not known precisely due to patent’s protection, but high hormones concentrations in this solution may afflict negatively lung function. The lung metabolism is influenced by triiodothyronine (T3), that acts on mitochondrial function and energy production, as documented in studies on cardiac-ischemia animal models. The aim of this study was to identify, in a DCD lung rat model, the effects of Steen solution and T3 titration on IRI and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), release during 180 minutes of EVLP as a marker of mitochondrial damage