Graft pancreatitis is one of the main complications in the pancreas transplantation. Free radicals generated in the graft during ischemia-reperfusion are involved in the physiopathology of this pancreatitis. Our aim was to evaluate lipid peroxidation in the grafts of a pig pancreas transplantation model. In female Landrace pigs of 40±2 Kg of weight we performed 8 pancreas transplants using a pancreatic-duodenal allograft with the celiac trunk and portal vein anastomosis to the aorta and infra renal vein inferior cava vein and a laterolateral anastomosis of the graft duodenum to the ileum of the recipient for enteric drainage of exocrine secretions. We did an ex situ perfusion-lavage of the graft with a cold preservation solution (Wisconsin University solution). Storage time at 4ordm;C for 8 hours determined the cold ischemia. No immunosuppresion was administered. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy-alkenals (4-HDA) were measured as indices of lipid peroxidation in pancreatic tissue samples at different times: A) baseline in the donor, B) after perfusion of the graft, C) after the ischemia period, and D) 30 minutes after reperfusion of the graft.

A, B and C pancreatic samples displayed lower MDA+4-HDA concentrations than those observed in D samples (A: 0.18±0.04; B: 0.22±0.06; C: 0.22±0.08; D: 0.33±0.03). Our results indicate that during cold ischemia, there was no modification in the lipid peroxidation levels. However, After 30 minutes of graft reperfusion, there was a spectacular increase of oxidative damage in lipids. These results are in accordance with previous evidence of exacerbated free radical generation in the reperfusion period.