Hydrogen Gas Improves Kidney Transplant Success in Animal Study
- Authors
- Eiji Kobayashi, Motoaki Sano
- Journal
- PLoS One
- Year
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0222863
- Study Type
- Pig
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Kidney Disease
- Body System
- Urinary System
TL;DR
A new, quick method using a canister with a special alloy to dissolve hydrogen gas in organ preservation solutions improved kidney transplant outcomes in pigs.
Key Finding
Kidneys preserved in hydrogen-containing solution showed restored function after transplant (urine production and blood flow), while kidneys preserved without hydrogen showed no function in this pig model of ischemic injury.
Summary
Researchers tested a new way to preserve donor kidneys for transplant by dissolving hydrogen gas into preservation solution using a special canister. In a pig transplant model, kidneys that were damaged from lack of blood flow were treated with hydrogen-containing solution and then transplanted. Kidneys preserved with hydrogen produced urine and maintained blood flow after transplant, while kidneys preserved without hydrogen did not function.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage animal study suggests hydrogen-enriched preservation solutions may help rescue damaged donor organs for transplant, but it is only a proof-of-concept in pigs. Human clinical trials would be needed to determine if this approach is safe and effective for actual organ transplantation.
Abstract
Various methods have been devised to dissolve hydrogen gas in organ preservation solutions, including use of a hydrogen gas cylinder, electrolysis, or a hydrogen-generating agent. However, these methods require considerable time and effort for preparation. We investigated a practical technique for rapidly dissolving hydrogen gas in organ preservation solutions by using a canister containing hydrogen-absorbing alloy. The efficacy of hydrogen-containing organ preservation solution created by this method was tested in a miniature pig model of kidney transplantation from donors with circulatory arrest. The time required for dissolution of hydrogen gas was only 2-3 minutes. When hydrogen gas was infused into a bag containing cold ETK organ preservation solution at a pressure of 0.06 MPa and the bag was subsequently opened to the air, the dissolved hydrogen concentration remained at 1.0 mg/L or more for 4 hours. After warm ischemic injury was induced by circulatory arrest for 30 minutes, donor kidneys were harvested and perfused for 5 minutes with hydrogen-containing cold ETK solution or hydrogen-free cold ETK solution. The perfusion rate was faster from the initial stage with hydrogen-containing cold ETK solution than with hydrogen-free ETK solution. After storage of the kidney in hydrogen-free preservation solution for 1 hour before transplantation, no urine production was observed and blood flow was not detected in the transplanted kidney at sacrifice on postoperative day 6. In contrast, after storage in hydrogen-containing preservation solution for either 1 or 4 hours, urine was detected in the bladder and blood flow was confirmed in the transplanted kidney. This method of dissolving hydrogen gas in organ preservation solution is a practical technique for potentially converting damaged organs to transplantable organs that can be used safely in any clinical setting where organs are removed from donors.