EPOR2/ßcR2-Independendent Effects of Low-Dose Epoetin-a in Porcine Liver Transplantation.
1Department for General and Visceral Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
2Pathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
Meeting: 2017 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: B132
Keywords: Liver transplantation
Session Information
Session Name: Poster Session B: Ischemic Injury and Organ Preservation Session II
Session Type: Poster Session
Date: Sunday, April 30, 2017
Session Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Presentation Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Hall D1
Introduction: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) remains the key component of graft damage during transplantation. Mechanistically, cold-induced apoptosis, microcirculatory disturbances and radical oxygen species formation contribute to IRI. High-dose Epoetin-alpha (EPO) induces anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects via the EPOR2/ßcR2-receptor complex, with the potential risk of pro-thrombotic effects. However, our previous work indicates that low–dose EPO has EPOR2/ßcR2-independent protective effects, possibly via direct effects on the endothelium. Therefore, we aimed to examine possible cytoprotective effects of low-dose EPO in a porcine liver transplantation model.
Methods: Seventeen landrace pigs underwent allogenic liver transplantation (follow-up 6h) with a portojugular shunt. Criteria for successful transplant were survival and hemoglobin at sacrification >7 mg/dl. Animals were divided into two groups: donor and recipient treatment with low-dose EPO (65 IU/kg) or vehicle, each 6h before cold perfusion and 30 min after warm reperfusion. Samples were taken 30 min, 2, 4 and 6 hours after reperfusion.
Results and Conclusions: Fourteen of 17 animals (82,4%) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. No differences were noted in operative values between the groups: hemoglobin 9 +0.49 vs. 9.18 +0.88 mg/dl, cold ischemic time 13.49 +0.18 vs. 13.84 +0.35 hours, warm ischemic time 46.43 +1.99 vs. 44 +2.71 min. EPO-treated animals showed a significantly lower score in the blinded, histopathologic examination while no changes in serological markers were noted. In conclusion, donor and recipient treatment with low-dose EPO reduces the acute inflammatory response in IRI possibly via EPOR2/ßcR2-independent mechanisms and represents a clinically applicable way to reduce IRI associated graft injury.
CITATION INFORMATION: Kebschull L, Becker F, Theilmann L, Heitzplatz B, Uennigmann W, Spiegel H, Palmes D. EPOR2/ßcR2-Independendent Effects of Low-Dose Epoetin-a in Porcine Liver Transplantation. Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Kebschull L, Becker F, Theilmann L, Heitzplatz B, Uennigmann W, Spiegel H, Palmes D. EPOR2/ßcR2-Independendent Effects of Low-Dose Epoetin-a in Porcine Liver Transplantation. [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2017; 17 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/epor2cr2-independendent-effects-of-low-dose-epoetin-a-in-porcine-liver-transplantation/. Accessed May 17, 2025.« Back to 2017 American Transplant Congress