In vitro amylase release of preserved pancreas: a simple test to assess the viability of pancreatic allograft during preservation in the pigs.

To determine an in vitro marker of viability during pancreatic preservation, 12 pigs underwent total pancreas harvesting, and graft were stored in Euro-Collins or Belzer perfusion solution for up to 24 hours. Amylase concentration of the storage solution was analyzed in regular periods and tissue samples were taken for acridine-orange histochemical evaluation of viability in the same time. In vitro pancreatic amylase release (IU/g pancreas tissue) was calculated from the volume of solution and the weight of graft. A significant increase of amylase release was found in the course of preservation in both media. Comparing amylase release in different solutions we found significant difference between Euro-Collins and Belzer media (4 hours: 6.45 IU/g vs. 2.2 IU/g, 8 hours: 11.5 vs. 3.58, 24 hours: 8.7 vs. 42.8, respectively). Comparison of amylase release with histochemical evaluation of viability showed strict correlation. We concluded that amylase release is a good marker for exocrine tissue destruction as well as viability of preserved pancreas. Our data confirms that Belzer solution is superior in pancreatic preservation. It is suggested that after adaptation into human model in vitro pancreatic amylase release could be a time- and cost-saving, useful method in predicting pancreatic transplant function prior graft implantation.