Experimental study on liver microcirculation disturbance following transplantation and the protective effect of prostaglandin E1 in the rat

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of PGE1 on liver microcirculation disturbance following orthotopic liver transplantation in rats. METHODS: Forty male adult Wistar rats were divided randomly into 3 groups. Eight transplantations were established in both the experimental and control group, while in the sham group, the liver was dissected like in the experimental group, but no resection was performed. In the experimental group, PGE1(0.5 microgram/kg.min-1) was injected intravenously into the donor before the operation, and added (1 mg/L) to the flush and preservation fluid, while PGE1 was replaced by normal saline in the control group. Confocal laser scan microscopy, biochemical test, and optical and electronic microscopy were used. RESULTS: In the control group the reperfusion state was poor, leukocyte infiltration appeared in the center of lobule, and transaminase rose after transplantation. In the experimental group distinctive improvement was seen as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Histological findings showed progressive degeneration and necrosis following transplantation in the control group, while in the experimental group the histological changes were improved to some degree by the use of PGE1. CONCLUSIONS: In liver transplantation, ischemic reperfusion damage may lead to hepatic microcirculation disturbance, which is the major cause of graft failure. Infusing PGE1 into the donor intravenously before ischemia and adding PGE1 to the cold storage fluid could improve hepatic microcirculation, and thus reducing ischemic reperfusion damage in liver transplantation.