Abstract: Objective  To study the effect of HTK and Perfadex solution on the function of pulmonary artery endothelium. Methods   Fifty-four porcine pulmonary rings in 2mm long were randomly divided into three groups. Control group (n=18): Incubation in Krebs-Henseleit (KH) at 4℃ for 4 hours; group A (n=18) or B (n=18): Incubation in HTK or Perfadex solution at 4℃ for 4 hours. Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-mediated relaxation (percentage of -7.5logM U46619 precontraction) induced by bradykinin or calcium ionophone A23187 in the present of indomethacin (7μmol/L), L-NNA (300μmol/L) and oxyhemoglobin (20μmol/L)were measured in the organ chambers. Results   Vasoconstriction induced by U46619 is no significant difference among three groups（P>0.05）. Compared with control group, the relaxation induced by bradykinin or A23187 was no significant difference in group A or group B. Conclusions  Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) plays an important role in endothelium-mediated relaxation of porcine pulmonary artery. EDHF-mediated relaxation showed similar performances when the lung preserved with HTK or Perfadex solution.

Key words: Pulmonary artery, endothelial cells, biological factors, dextrans, HTK solution