Organ preservation and/or perfusion

Abstract

The present invention relates to a solution for preservation, perfusion, and/or reperfusion of an organ, especially the heart, for transplantation. The solution contains peptide inhibitor(s) of protein kinase C ε (PKC ε). Methods for using the inventive solution are also disclosed, including methods for preserving an organ for transplantation, for protecting an ischemic organ from damage, for attenuating organ dysfunction after ischemia, for maintaining nitric oxide release and/or inhibiting superoxide release in an ischemic organ, and for protecting an organ from damage when isolated from the circulatory system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A solution for perfusion, preservation, and/or re-perfusion for organ preservation comprising at least one peptide inhibitor of protein kinase ε (PKC ε). 
     
     
         2 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one peptide inhibitor is dissolved in saline solution. 
     
     
         3 . The solution of  claim 1 , further comprising potassium chloride. 
     
     
         4 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one peptide inhibitor of PKC ε has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         5 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of the at least one peptide inhibitor of PKC ε is about 1-10 μM. 
     
     
         6 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the organ is a heart. 
     
     
         7 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the organ is a mammalian organ. 
     
     
         8 . The solution of  claim 7 , wherein the mammal is human. 
     
     
         9 . The solution of  claim 1 , wherein the organ is preserved for transplantation.