Assessing mitochondrial transplantation therapies of liver injuries using longitudinal photoacoustics (Conference Presentation)

Liver ischemia/reperfusion injury (LIRI) causes organ dysfunction in conditions like hemorrhagic shock, liver surgery, and transplantation. Reoxygenation of ischemic tissue exacerbates liver injury through oxidative stress. This study proposes mitochondrial transplantation (MTx) to protect against LIRI, using photoacoustic (PA) imaging to elucidate its mechanism. LIRI was induced in mouse livers by clamping the hepatic artery. After reperfusion, 80 million mitochondria from skeletal muscle were transplanted through the spleen. PA imaging measured liver oxygen saturation (sO2) and total hemoglobin (HbT) during clamping and after reperfusion. MTx moderated early hyperoxygenation and hyperperfusion, suggesting a protective mechanism against LIRI.