DISTRIBUTION AND REMOVAL OF GLYCEROL BY VASCULAR ALBUMIN PERFUSION IN RABBIT KIDNEYS

A simple perfusion circuit for gradual glycerolization and deglycerolization of rabbit kidneys is described; it has been used to study vascular resistance and glycerol distribution during perfusion at +10 °C with a perfusate of extracellular composition. An attempt was made to diminish the dramatic rise in vascular resistance during deglycerolization of rabbit kidneys, seen in previous experiments, by increasing the perfusate colloid osmotic pressure and decreasing the rate of change of cryoprotectant concentration during the last third of removal. These modifications of the method did not improve perfusion characteristics or post-transplant function. Melting points of perfusates and different parts of the kidney were determined by differential thermal analysis before glycerolization, after glycerolization to 3 m and after subsequent deglycerolization. The variations of tissue melting temperatures were found to be identical with variations in the perfusate, thus indicating a complete distribution and removal of cryoprotective concentrations of glycerol. © 1978.