Survivin蛋白在肝门部胆管癌中的表达及其与p53相关性的研究

目的：检测肝门部胆管癌中凋亡抑制因子Survivin蛋白的表达，研究其与肝门部胆管癌的临床特征的关系，并探讨其与p53的相关性。方法：采用免疫组织化学方法检测86例肝门部胆管癌组织、10例癌旁组织（距肿瘤边缘约1．0cm）及10例正常胆管组织中Survivin蛋白和p53蛋白的表达，结合临床病理学资料进行统计学分析。结果：86例肝门部胆管癌组织中，Survivin蛋白阳性率为82．6％（71／86），p53蛋白阳性率为76．7％（66，86），Survivin与p53在癌旁组织和正常胆管组织中均呈阴性表达，与癌组织相比差异有统计学意义（P〈O．05）；Survivin表达与肝门部胆管癌病理分级、Bismuth分型、患者的性别及年龄和肿瘤大小均无关（P〉0．05），但淋巴结转移阳性组Survivin蛋白表达水平明显高于淋巴结转移阴性组，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；p53蛋白在肝门部胆管癌中与肿瘤组织病理分级、淋巴结有无转移相关（P〈0．05），与其他病理学特征无关（P〉O．05）。71例Survivin阳性表达者中同时表达p53阳性者58例，15例阴性表达者中表达p53阳性者8例，两者差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：肝门部胆管癌组织中Survivin和p53的表达显著高于癌旁组织和正常胆管组织，其在肝门部胆管癌的发展、转移过程中可能具有重要作用。     

bag-1，bcl-2基因表达与乳腺癌的发生及预后

目的探讨抗凋亡基因bag-1和bcl-2在乳腺癌组织中的表达及意义，了解肿瘤细胞凋亡的特点。方法采用免疫组化SABC法观察了100例乳腺癌与10例乳腺良性肿瘤及10例正常乳腺组织的石蜡标本切片中bag-1和bcl-2的表达，并进行统计研究。结果Bag-1在乳腺癌组织、乳腺良性肿瘤中，正常乳腺组织中阳性表达率分别为85．0％、10．0％、10．0％，差异有显著性（P〈0．05），其表达与不同病理类型及临床分期无关（P〉0．05）。bcl-2在乳腺癌组织、乳腺良性肿瘤、正常乳腺组织中阳性表达率分别为46．0％、80．0％、90．0％，差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。其表达与不同病理类型及临床分期亦无关（P〉0．05）。对100例乳腺癌进行随访，bag-1阳性表达者5年生存率为78．7％，bag-1阴性表达者5年生存率为8．5％，两者差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。bcl-2阳性表达者5年生存率为43．6％，bag-1阴性表达者5年生存率为46．8％，两者差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。结论bag-1在乳腺癌组织中高表达，bcl-2在乳腺癌组织中低表达，bag-1、bcl-2在乳腺癌组织中的表达与肿瘤的临床分期、病理分型等无关。bag-1阳性表达者预后好，而bcl-2的表达与预后无关。     

环氧化酶-2和nm23H1蛋白表达及其与胆管癌的相关性

目的探讨环氧化酶-2（cyclooxygenase-2,COX-2）和nm23H1蛋白在胆管癌中的表达及临床意义。方法应用免疫组化方法检测46例胆管癌和10例正常胆管组织中COX-2及nm23H1蛋白表达水平．并结合临床病理特征进行分析。结果在胆管癌中COX-2及nm23H1蛋白阳性表达率分别为78.3％（32／46）和54．3％（25／46）。胆管癌中COX-2表达阳性率显著高于正常胆管组织（P〈0．05）,而nm23H1表达阳性率显著低于正常胆管组织fP〈0．051。COX-2表达与胆管癌的TNM分期和转移相关（心0．05）,而与胆管癌分化程度无关（P〉0．05）。nm23H1表达与胆管癌的TNM分期、分化程度和转移相关（P〈0．05）。结论检测COX-2和nm23H1基因蛋白表达可作为评估胆管癌生物学行为和预后的参考指标。     

肝切除术加区域性淋巴结清扫治疗肝门部胆管癌

目的探讨肝切除术加区域性淋巴结清扫治疗肝门部胆管癌的疗效。方法回顾性分析1990年1月～2004年12月收治的60例肝门部胆管癌的根治性治疗资料。所有病人均给予肝外胆管切除及区域淋巴清扫。根据肝切除情况分为2组：肝切除组38例，未切肝组22例。结果肝切除组和未切肝组术后并发症发生率分别为31．58％、9．09％，两者有统计学差异（P〈0．05），两组病死率分别为5．26％、4．55％，无统计学差异（P〉0．05）。肝切除组1、2、3年累积生存率分别为84．2l％、60．53％、39．47％，未切肝组分别为72．73％、31．82％、13．64％，两组比较，第1年无差别（P〉0．05），第2、3年有统计学差异（P〈0．05）。结论肝切除术加区域性淋巴结清扫是提高肝门部胆管癌根治性切除率、生存率和改善生活质量的重要手段，骨骼化淋巴清扫应成为操作规范。     

肝外胆管癌组织中PTTG和VEGF的表达及相关性研究

目的探讨PTTG和VEGF蛋白在肝外胆管癌中的表达相关性及其与胆管癌发展的关系。方法应用免疫组化技术SABC法检测PTTG和VEGF蛋白在36例胆管癌标本、30例胆管癌旁组织和12例胆管良性病变中的表达。结果胆管癌组织和癌旁组织中PTTG的阳性表达率分别为72．2％（26／36）和63．3％（19／30），VEGF的阳性表达率分别为83．3％（30／36）和76．7％（23／30）；在胆管良性病变组织中均未检测到PTTG和VEGF的表达。上述3种组织之间的PTTG和VEGF蛋白表达差异均有显著性（P〈0．05）。癌组织中PTTG和VEGF蛋白的表达呈正相关（r=0．703，P〈0．001）。PTTG和VEGF蛋白表达与肿瘤转移与否关系密切，但与患者的性别、年龄、肿瘤大小及分化无关。结论PTTG和VEGF在胆管癌中高表达，两者表达呈正相关；与胆管癌的转移与否关系密切。     

肝门部胆管癌病理组织学特征与预后的临床研究

目的：探讨肝门部胆管癌病理组织学特征与预后的关系。方法：回顾性分析1989年6月-2007年3月山东大学齐鲁医院收治的132例肝门部胆管癌组织的病理组织学特征。结果：132例肝门部胆管癌中腺癌121例，占91.7％；黏液细胞癌3例，腺鳞癌2例，鳞癌2例，未分化癌4例，共占8.3％。121例腺癌高、中、低分化分别占24．0％（29／121）、35．5％（43／121），40．5％（49／121）。高中分化腺癌淋巴结转移率和肝转移率分别为27.7％和20．8％，低分化腺癌为57．1％和53．1％。低分化腺癌转移率明显高于高中分化腺癌（P〈0．05）。高中分化腺癌和低分化腺癌术后1、3、5年生存率分别为55．0％、40．0％、15．0％和45．8％、16.7％、0％。高中分化腺癌生存率明显高于低分化腺癌（P〈0．05）。结论：低分化腺癌在肝门部胆管癌的病理分型中占有相当大的比例，并且病理的分化程度与肿瘤的侵袭能力和预后关系密切。     

402例肝门部胆管癌临床分型、手术方式与远期疗效的综合分析

目的 综合分析肝门部胆管癌的临床分型、病理学特征、不同手术方式及其远期疗效,探讨影响肝门部胆管癌手术疗效及长期预后的相关因素。方法 对1993年1月至2004年12月402例肝门部胆管癌进行回顾分析,对其临床分型、病理特征、不同手术方式及随诊结果进行统计学分析。在Bismuth—Corlette分Ⅳ型的基础上,将来自于肝内大胆管的肝门部胆管癌增定为Ⅴ型（Ⅴa型,Ⅴb型）,并综合文献进行讨论。结果 402例患者中,行手术切除198例,其中根治性切除（R0）102例（占51．5％）,姑息性切除（R1、R2）96例（占48．5％）。同种异体原位肝移植手术8例,单纯引流术161例,未手术35例。术后1、3、5年生存率：根治性切除组分别为80．3％、41．9％和33．3％,姑息性切除组分别为53．2％、19．6％和14．7％,单纯引流组分别为26．7％、3．3％和0,未手术组分别为9．8％、0和0,根治性切除组和姑息性切除组生存率差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。切除组中淋巴结阴性者生存时间明显长于淋巴结阳性者（P〈0．05）。1例手术死亡（0．3％）,132例出现手术并发症（36．1％）。结论 源于肝内型的肝门部胆管癌Ⅴ型（Ⅴa型或Ⅴb型）有较高的手术根治切除率,预后也较好;肝门部胆管癌分化程度与手术预后明显相关,高分化组明显优于低分化组;肝门部胆管癌的治疗仍以手术切除为主,只有根治性切除才能获得最佳疗效,联合肝叶、血管、淋巴结等切除的扩大根治术可延长患者生存期。肝移植治疗对胆管癌术后高复发率的问题至今未能解决。     

Suv39 H2在胆管癌组织中的转录表达及临床意义

目的探讨Suv39 H2与胆管癌发生的关系及其临床意义。方法用RT—PCR检测35例胆管癌组织及28例正常胆管组织Suv39 H2 mRNA表达，并与肿瘤分化程度、有无转移作对比研究。结果胆管癌中Suv39 H2 mRNA阳性表达率为71．43％（25／35），正常胆管组织中阳性表达率为32．14％（9／28），差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。胆管癌中Suv39 H2 mRNA阳性表达与分化程度、有无转移无关，差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论Suv39 H2参与胆管癌发生早期阶段。     

p53、bcl-2、c-erbB-2在胃癌及癌前病变中表达的意义

目的：研究p53、bcl-2、c-erbB-2基因在胃癌及癌前病变中的表达，探讨其与胃癌发生的关系。方法：采用免疫组化SABC法，检测p53、bcl-2、c-erbB-2基因蛋白在98例胃癌、39例肠上皮化生、40例不典型增生和20例正常胃粘膜中的表达。结果：①p53在胃癌中的阳性表达率为55．1％，早期胃癌和进展期胃癌分别为50．0％，55．4％；在肠上皮化生中的表达率为12．8％，与早期胃癌比较有统计学差异（P〈0．05），随不典型增生程度的加重p53的表达率逐渐升高，依次为5％，20％，60％，其中轻中度与重度不典型增生差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05），而在正常胃粘膜中未见p53表达②bcl-2在正常胃粘瞑中有弱阳性表达（10．0％），在不典型增生中为50．0％，在胃癌中为44．9％，不典型增生与胃癌中的表达均显著高于正常胃粘膜（P〈0．05）。③c-erbB-2在胃癌中的阳性表达率为55．1％，其中在早期胃癌中的表达率较低（16．7％），在重度不典型增生和进展期胃癌中的表达率较高，分别为60．0％和57．6％，二者与早期胃癌比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。④c-erbB-2表达与肿瘤浸润深度、淋巴结转移有关（P〈0．05），与胃癌分化程度无关（P〉0．05）；bcl-2表达与胃癌的分化程度有关（P〈0．05），低分化者bcl-2表达率高，与淋巴结转移，浸润深度无关（P〉0．05）；p53表达与上述临床病理因素均无关（P〉0．05）。结论：p53，bcl-2，c-erbB-2参与了胃粘膜的癌变过程。     

p27蛋白在肝门部胆管癌的表达及临床意义

目的探讨p27蛋白在肝门部胆管癌的表达及临床意义。方法采用免疫组化方法测定44例肝门部胆管癌及8例正常胆管组织中p27蛋白的表达情况。结果p27表达的阳性率为77．2％，以低表达为主。p27的表达与肿瘤的分化、淋巴转移及神经浸润显著相关（P〈0．05）。p27蛋白高、低及阴性表达组的平均生存时间分别为84个月、72个月与65个月。p27蛋白低表达组与缺失组的生存曲线明显低于高表达组生存曲线。结论肝门部胆管癌中p27的表达是反映肝门部胆管癌生物学行为和判断预后的重要指标。     

Vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction during major abdominal surgery

Background : We investigated the vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction (MT) with hypotension due to prostacyclin (PGI₂) release in patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a combined general and epidural anesthesia. Methods : In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study we administered 400 mg ibuprofen (i.v.) in 42 patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. General anesthesia was combined with epidural anesthesia (T4-L1). Before as well as 5, 15, 30, 45, and 90 min after MT we recorded plasma osmolality, hemodynamics and measured 6-keto-PGFlα (stabile metabolite of PGI₂), TXB₂ (stabile metabolite of thromboxane A₂) active renin, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) plasma concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Catecholamine levels were assessed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. Results : Following MT, arterial hypotension occurred along with a substantial PGI₂ release. This was completely abolished by ibuprofen administration. Although plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF_1α (1133 (708) vs. 60 (3) ng/L, median (median absolute deviation), P=0.0001, placebo vs. ibuprofen) remained significantly elevated, blood pressure was restored within 30 min after MT in the placebo group. At the same point in time plasma concentrations of TXB² (164 (87) vs. 58 (1) ng/L, P=0.0001), epinephrine (46 (33) vs. 14 (6) ng/L, P=0.001), AVP (41 ± (18) vs. 12 (7) ng/L, P=0.0004), and active renin (27 (12) vs. 12 (4) ng/L, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in placebo-treated patients. Conclusion : Under combined general and epidural anesthesia arterial hypotension following MT due to endogenous PGI₂ release is associated with enhanced release of AVP, active renin, epinephrine and thromboxane A₂, presumably contributing to hemodynamic stability within 30 min after MT.     

A Teaspoon Pump for Pumping Blood with High Hydraulic Efficiency and Low Hemolysis Potential

Abstract: Virtually all blood pumps contain some kind of rubbing, sliding, closely moving machinery surfaces that are exposed to the blood being pumped. These valves, internal bearings, magnetic bearing position sensors, and shaft seals cause most of the problems with blood pumps. The original teaspoon pump design prevented the rubbing, sliding machinery surfaces from contacting the blood. However, the hydraulic efficiency was low because the blood was able to "slip around" the rotating impeller so that the blood itself never rotated fast enough to develop adequate pressure. An improved teaspoon blood pump has been designed and tested and has shown acceptable hydraulic performance and low hemolysis potential. The new pump uses a nonrotating "swinging" hose as the pump impeller. The fluid enters the pump through the center of the swinging hose; therefore, there can be no fluid slip between the revolving blood and the revolving impeller. The new pump uses an impeller that is comparable to a flexible garden hose. If the free end of the hose were swung around in a circle like half of a jump rope, the fluid inside the hose would rotate and develop pressure even though the hose impeller itself did not "rotate"; therefore, no rotating shaft seal or internal bearings are required.     

A comparison of the inhibitory effects of four volatile anaesthetics on the metabolism of chlorzoxazone, a substrate for CYP2E1, in rabbits

Background: Halothane inhibits in vitro and in vivo activity of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2E1. There are several fluorinated volatile anaesthetics besides halothane, and most of them are defluorinated by CYP2E1. It is unclear whether other fluorinated anaesthetics inhibit the in vivo activity of CYP2E1.
Methods: We compared the inhibitory effects of therapeutic concentrations of four inhalational anaesthetics, halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane, on chlorzoxazone metabolism in rabbits receiving artificial ventilation.
Results: All four inhalational anaesthetics decreased arterial blood pressure and increased plasma chlorzoxazone concentration. However, no significant differences in the plasma chlorzoxazone concentration were found between the four anaesthetics. The estimated chlorzoxazone clearance increased after beginning inhalation with all four agents, but no significant difference in clearance was noted between agents.
Conclusions: At therapeutic concentrations, the in vivo inhibitory effect on chlorzoxazone metabolism was similar for all four inhalational anaesthetics examined, even though their chemical characteristics and extent of hepatic metabolism differ considerably.     

Microspheres Based Detoxification System: A New Method in Convective Blood Purification

Abstract: A variety of protein-bound or hydrophobic substances, accumulating as a result of pathologic conditions such as exogenous or endogenous intoxications, are removed poorly by conventional detoxification methods because of low accessibility (hemodialysis), insufficient adsorption capabilities (hemosorption), low efficiency (peritoneal dialysis), or economic limitations (high-volume plasmapheresis). Combining advantages of existing methods with microspheric technology, a module-based system was designed. Major operating parameters of the latter can be modified to allow for adjustment to individual clinical situations. An extracorporeal blood circuit including a plasmafilter is combined with a secondary high-velocity plasma circuit driven by a centrifugal pump. Different microspheric adsorbers can be combined in one circuit or applied in sequence. Thus, a prolonged treatment can be tailored using specially designed selective adsorber materials. Comparing this system with existing methods (high-flux hemodialysis, molecular adsorbent recycling system), results from our in vitro studies and animal experiments demonstrate the superior efficiency of substance removal.     

Tissue perfusion in relation to cardiac output during continuous positive-pressure ventilation and administration of propranolol or verapamil

Background : Our objective was to determine whether administration of propranolol or verapamil modifies the hemodynamic adaptation to continuous positive-pressure ventilation (CPPV), in particular the regional distribution of cardiac output (CO).
Methods : General hemodynamics and regional blood flows assessed by microsphere technique (15 (μm) were recorded in 16 anesthetized pigs during spontaneous breathing (SB) and CPPV with 8 cm H₂O end-expiratory pressure (CPPV8) before and after intravenous administration of propranolol (0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.15 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8) or verapamil (0.1 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8).
Results : CPPV8 depressed CO by 25% without shifts in its relative distribution with the exception of a noteworthy increase in adrenal perfusion. Propranolol increased arterial blood pressure, and due to a fall in heart rate, CO dropped by 25%. The kidneys and, to a lesser extent, the splanchic region and central nervous system received increased fractions of the remaining CO at the expense of skeletal muscle flow. Similar patterns were seen during SB and CPPV8 such that the combination of propranolol and CPPV8 depressed CO by 50%. The circulatory effects of verapamil were less evident but myocardial perfusion tended to increase.
Conclusions : The combination of propranolol or verapamil with CPPV does not result in any specific hemodynamic interaction in anesthetized pigs, except that the combined effect of propranolol and CPPV may severely reduce CO.     

Volatile anaesthetics reduce adhesion of blood platelets under low-flow conditions in the coronary system of isolated guinea pig hearts

Background : Inhibitory effects of volatile anaesthetics on platelet aggregation have been demonstrated in several studies. However, the influence of volatile anaesthetics on intracoronary platelet adhesion has not been elucidated so far.
Methods : Isolated hearts of guinea pigs were perfused with buffer in the absence or presence of volatile anaesthetics (0.5 and 1 MAC) at constant coronary flow rates of 5 ml/min for 25 min, then 1 ml/min for 30 min and again 5 ml/min for 10 min. Before, during and after low-flow perfusion, a bolus of human platelets was applied into the coronary system. To simulate thrombogenic conditions, 0.3 U/ml human thrombin was infused during low-flow perfusion and reperfusion. The number of platelets sequestered to the endothelium was calculated from the difference between coronary in- and output of platelets. The myocardial production of lactate and consumption of pyruvate and coronary perfusion pressure were also determined.
Results : At a flow rate of 5 ml/min only about 3% of the applied platelets did not emerge from the coronary system, in any group. In contrast, 13.1±1.2% (mean±SEM) of infused platelets became adherent in low-flow perfusion in the control group without anaesthetic. The adherence was reduced with each 1 MAC isoflurane (to 6.2±1.2%), sevoflurane (to 4.4±0.9%) or halothane (to 3.2±1.5%) (each P <0.05 vs. control). Volatile anaesthetic, 0.5 MAC, did not inhibit platelet adhesion to a statistically significant extent in any case. Perfusion pressure and metabolic parameters were not statistically different between the control and the hearts exposed to anaesthetics.
Conclusion : Volatile anaesthetics in a concentration of 1 MAC can reduce the adhesion of platelets in the coronary system under reduced flow conditions. This action does not arise from vasodilation or inhibition of ischaemic stress.     

Bariatric Surgery in Some "Central and East-European (former Eastern bloc)"Countries - Current Status and Prediction for the Next Millennium

Background: Obesity is increasing globallly, including in the formerly "Eastern Bloc" countries. Methods: A survey was made of obesity and bariatric surgery. Results: In the 8 East and Central European countries studied, with total population 300 million, roughly 43% of the population was overweight (BMI 25-30), 23% obese (BMI > 30), with about 15 million people morbidly obese (BMI > 40). From 0-10 morbidly obese individuals/100,000/year undergo bariatric surgery. Conclusion: Most countries were found to provide inadequate treatment for obesity.The majority of the morbidly obese are not treated effectively. However, health-care awareness of obesity and bariatric surgeons are slowly increasing.     

Synergistic interaction between the effects of propofol and midazolam with fentanyl on phrenic nerve activity in rabbits

Background: It has been shown that the depressive effects of both propofol and midazolam on consciousness are synergistic with opioids, but the nature of their interactions on other physiological systems, e. g. respiration, has not been fully investigated. The present study examined the effect of propofol and midazolam alone and in combination with fentanyl on phrenic nerve activity (PNA) and whether such interactions are additive or synergistic. Methods: PNA was recorded in 27 anaesthetised and artificially ventilated rabbits. In three groups, propofol, fentanyl and midazolam were administered intravenously in incremental doses to construct dose-response curves for the depressant effects of each one on PNA. In another two groups, the effect of pretreatment with either fentanyl 1 μg · kg^?1 i. v. or midazolam 0.05 mg · kg^?1 i. v. on the effects of propofol and fentanyl respectively on PNA were studied. Results: Propofol and fentanyl caused a dose-dependent depression of PNA with complete abolition at the highest total doses of 16 mg · kg^?1 i. v. and 32 μg · kg^?1 i. v., respectively. In contrast, midazolam in incremental doses to a total of 0.8 mg · kg^?1 reduced mean PNA by 63%, but approximately 12% of PNA remained at a total dose as high as 6.4 mg · kg^?1. The mean ED₅₀s, calculated from dose-response curves, were 5.4 mg · kg^?1, 3.9 μg · kg^?1 and 0.4 mg · kg^?1 for propofol, fentanyl and midazolam, respectively. Initial doses of either fentanyl 1 μg · kg^?1 i. v. or midazolam 0.05 mg · kg^?1 i. v. acted synergistically with subsequent doses of either propofol or fentanyl to abolish PNA at total doses of 8 mg · kg^?1 and 8 μg · kg^?1, respectively. Conclusion: Fentanyl has a synergistic interaction with both propofol and midazolam on PNA and hence potentially on respiration.     

Influence of dopexamine hydrochloride on haemodynamics and regulators of circulation in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery

Background: Catecholaminergic support is often used to improve haemodynamics in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Dopexamine is a synthetic vasoactive catecholamine with beneficial microcirculatory properties. Methods: The influence of perioperative administration of dopexamine on cardiorespiratory data and important regulators of macro- and microcirculation were studied in 30 patients undergoing Whipple pancreaticduodenectomy. The patients received randomized and blinded either 2 μg · kg^?1 · min^?1 of dopexamine (n=15) or placebo (n=15, control group). The infusion was started after induction of anaesthesia and continued until the morning of the first postoperative day. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), vasopressin, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and catecholamine plasma levels were measured from arterial blood samples. Measurements were carried out after induction of anaesthesia, 2 h after onset of surgery, at the end of surgery, 2 h after surgery, and on the morning of the first postoperative day. Results: Cardiac index (CI) increased significantly in the dopexamine group (from 2.61±0.41 to 4.57±0.78 1 · min^?1 · m^?2) and remained elevated until the morning of the first postoperative day. Oxygen delivery index (DO₂I) and oxygen consumption index (VO₂I) were also significantly increased in the dopexamine group (DO₂I: from 416±91 to 717±110 ml/m² · m²; VO₂I: from 98±25 to 157±22 ml/m² · m²), being significantly higher than in the control group. pHi remained stable only in the dopexamine patients, indicating adequate splanchnic perfusion. Vasopressive regulators of circulation increased significantly only in the untreated control patients (vasopressin: from 4.37±1.1 to 35.9±12.1 pg/ml; ET-1: from 2.88±0.91 to 6.91±1.20 pg/ml). Conclusion: Patients undergoing major abdominal surgery may profit from prophylactic perioperative administration of dopexamine hydrochloride in the form of improved haemodynamics and oxygenation as well as beneficial influence on important regulators of organ blood flow.