Evaluation of a Marine OXYgen Carrier for Organ Preservation

Preventing ischemia/reperfusion injuries (IRIs) is a major issue in kidney transplantation, particularly for transplant recipients receiving a kidney from extended criteria donors (ECD). The main consequence of IRIs is delayed graft function (DGF). The medical device HEMO2life®, an oxygen carrier developed by the Hemarina French Company, is a natural extracellular hemoglobin (Hb) isolated from the marine lugworm Arenicola marina. This biopolymer of high molecular weight (\~3,600 kDa) has a large oxygen binding capacity, carrying up to 156 oxygen molecules when saturated (4 for human Hb). It releases oxygen according to a simple gradient and exhibits an intrinsic superoxide dismutase-like activity preventing both the occurrence of potentially harmful heme-protein-associated free radical species and the release of Hb degradation products. Recently a safety study in 60 renal grafts using HEMO2life® as additive to organ preservation solution (Oxyop study, NCT02652520) was completed, that confirmed that the use of HEMO2life® is safe for patients and grafts. In the Oxyop study, even if the protocol was not designed to show a benefit of the use of HEMO2life®, significantly less delayed graft function (DGF) and a shorter renal function recovery was observed. The present research focuses on the efficacy of HEMO2life®, which is an oxygen carrier added in preservation solution in kidney transplantation.