The isolated perfused liver: a new model using autologous blood and porcine slaughterhouse organs

Introduction: Current models of isolated and perfused livers are limited by nonphysiologic perfusates or the need for the use of high numbers of laboratory animals. The present study was performed in order to rectify these difficulties. Methods: To establish a new isolated perfused liver model, a perfusion circuit was developed using normothermic, autologous hemoperfusion and organs obtained from a slaughterhouse. Results: Stable organ function was maintained over 220 min. The organs displayed physiologic values for measured variables, including oxygen consumption which varied from 5.2 +/- 1.5 ml/min at 40 min to 5.2 +/- 2.4 ml/min at 220 min, and bile production (0.15-0.31 ml/min, respectively). Discussion: The present studies demonstrate a new approach for experimental liver perfusion by combining the optimal perfusion medium of autologous blood and slaughterhouse organs as source material. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.