Extracorporeal normothermic pancreas perfusion

Pancreas and islet transplantation are important treatment options for insulin dependent diabetes. However, one of the main challenges in pancreas and islet transplantation lies in organ (pancreas) preservation. Ischaemic injury post-retrieval causes significant damage the organ function and reduction in islet yield. It was hypothesised that extracorporeal normothermic perfusion of the pancreas would improve graft function post transplantation and pancreatic islet isolation when compared to traditional methods of organ preservation. The aims and objectives of the project included: • Conducting a systematic review of the literature in extracorporeal machine perfusion of the pancreas • Establishing an extracorporeal normothermic perfusion model of the porcine pancreas • Comparing the addition of kidney to the circuit of extracorporeal pancreas perfusion model A thorough systematic review of the available literature concluded the potential benefits of machine perfusion in pancreas preservation. Important insight into the experimental setup, perfusion parameters and vital outcome measures was also attained. A model of normothermic hemo-perfusion of the porcine pancreas with and without addition of the kidney as a dialysis organ was subsequently established. The organs were perfused for 120 minutes with stable perfusion parameters but sub-optimal acid-base environment. Addition of the kidney did not result in significant improvement of the acid-base environment.Thesis (M.Phil.) (Research by Publication) -- University of Adelaide, School of Medicine, 2016