We studied the effect of additional albumin in preservation solution on reperfusion after immersion of isolated rat hearts by measuring cardiac function, myocardial enzymes and calcium. Male Wistar rats weighing 300 gr to 450 gr were used. Isolated rat hearts were arrested by cardioplegic solution and washed out with preservation solution. Then, the hearts were immersed at 4 degrees C for six hours. The group was divided into four by the concentration of additional albumin in preservation solution which basically consisted of Euro-Collins solution. In control group, the cardiac function was immediately measured after the heart was isolated. Albumin was not added in group I (n = 16), 2% of albumin in group II (n = 18), 5% of albumin in group III (n = 17) and 7% of albumin in group IV (n = 18). There were no significant differences between groups II and III in cardiac function and myocardial enzymes. The levels of myocardial malondialdehyde (nmol/g dry weight) and calcium (mumol/g dry weight) at 15 minutes after reperfusion were 279.3 +/- 38.1, 5.9 +/- 5.3 in group I; 243.3 +/- 86.5, 4.1 +/- 2.0 in group II; 217.1 +/- 106.6, 4.1 +/- 1.3 in group III and 274.9 +/- 77.1, 4.9 +/- 1.2 in group IV, respectively. Although no statistical significances were seen among those results, those data might suggest the relationship between the recovery of cardiac output and myocardial ATP contents. Those results also suggested that additional albumin with optimal concentration might inhibit reperfusion injury.
Albumins Animals