Glyoxalase II and glutathione levels in rat liver mitochondria during cold storage in Euro-Collins and University of Wisconsin solutions.

Glutathione and glyoxalase II levels were evaluated in cytosolic and mitochondrial compartments of rat liver after 7 and 24 hr of cold storage in University of Wisconsin (UW) and Euro-Collins solutions. 1-4 A similar time-dependent depletion of cytosolic glutathione up to about 60% of control values was observed in both Euro-Collins and UW solutions. Cytosolic glyoxalase II showed activity oscillations in livers stored in Euro-Collins but not in UW. Mitochondrial glutathione and glyoxalase II were severely depleted soon after 7 hr of cold storage in Euro-Collins, whereas the same parameters did not change in liver stored in UW after 24 hr. UW is confirmed to be the most suitable solution for liver cold storage and we conclude that mitochondrial glutathione and glyoxalase II can be important parameters in assessing mitochondrial and cell function.