Normothermic Machine Perfusion of Rat Kidneys for Transplantation

The normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) technique is a promising organ preservation technology that provides an ex-vivo organ evaluation and intervention platform. Because of the limited availability of clinically discarded organs and the high cost of large animal models, the small animal NMP model has been considered a promising alternative for research. Here, we established a standardized NMP and transplantation protocol for rat kidneys, providing a step-by-step guide for kidney procurement, NMP preservation, and transplantation. The NMP details and parameters were recorded. All rat recipients successfully survived with this surgical procedure and NMP technique, and the renal graft function remained normal after transplantation. The survival rate and graft histology of NMP showed no significant difference from that of static cold storage (SCS) on postoperative day 7. This novel NMP strategy in small animal models may benefit basic studies related to organ preservation, assessment, and intervention in the future. Furthermore, this model offers a cost-effective, scalable platform for preclinical testing of therapeutics, imaging techniques, and perfusion-related interventions.