Release of lactate dehydrogenase activity by rabbit renal cortex slices during storage in solutions used for kidney transplantation

: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was evaluated after incubation of rabbit renal cortical slices in several preservation solutions. Experimental solutions commonly used for kidney transplantation decreased LDH activity up to 72 h of storage at 4 degrees C compared to a control plasma-like solution. Low temperature (4 degrees C) storage led to a smaller release of LDH than slices preserved at 25 degrees C in control solutions. The addition of organic substrates to the control solution diminished enzyme release only of those slices incubated at 25 degrees C. After 72 h of incubation, the rate of LDH release was constant for all solutions except Collins glucose 330 mOsm solution for which the rate increased still further up to 96 h. The lower rate of LDH release exhibited by experimental solutions for up to 72 h indicates the maintenance of cellular integrity and hence of tissue viability. On the other hand, the continued increase of the rate of LDH release shown by Collins glucose 300 mOsm solution up to 96 h may suggest an even higher survival of viable cells and the stabilization of the rate of LDH release observed in the latter period of storage may indicate the onset of necrosis.