Twenty-four-hour preservation in gamma-hydroxybutyrate improves lung function in a canine single-lung allotransplantation.

Background. We investigated the effect of γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) when added to the low-potassium University of Wisconsin (LPUW) solution used for the preservation of canine lung for 24 hr. We also examined the effect of pretreatment of donor and recipient dogs with GHB on lung function after transplantation. Methods. Two groups were investigated. In the LPUW group, donor lungs were flushed with LPUW solution without GHB. In the GHB group, donor and recipient dogs were pretreated with GHB, and donor lungs were flushed with LPUW containing GHB. Results. Posttransplant graft function was best in the GHB group. At 1 hr after reperfusion, PaO 2 in the GHB group (475.7±96.2 mmHg) was significantly higher than in the LPUW group (188.3±102.7 mmHg, P<0.05). Furthermore, the use of GHB resulted in a significant increase in lung compliance (28.3±6.5 ml/cm H 2 O) compared with LPUW group (21.5±2.8 ml/cm H 2 O). Conclusions. Our results suggest that GHB is potentially useful for functional improvement of hypothermically preserved canine lung allografts after reperfusion.