维生素E酯预处理对小鼠原位脂肪肝移植的影响

目的　探讨供者用维生素E酯 (VES)预处理对原位小鼠脂肪肝移植的保护作用及其机理。方法　建立小鼠原位肝移植模型。随机分为正常小鼠对照组 (n =8)、肥胖小鼠对照组 (n =8)、非脂肪肝移植组 (n =12 )、脂肪肝移植组 (n =12 )、VES预处理脂肪肝移植组 (n =12 )。术后检测各组血清丙氨酸转氨酶 (ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶 (AST)相对水平 ;肝脏组织HE染色 ,油红O染色脂肪定量 ,ATP含量及解偶联蛋白 2 (UCP 2 )水平。结果　VES预处理脂肪肝移植组移植后 2h存活率为4 5 % ,而脂肪肝移植组为 2 5 % ,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;VES预处理脂肪肝移植组血清ALT与AST水平与ATP浓度分别为 (32 33± 10 6 5 )U/L、(4386± 92 4 )U/L、0 .19± 0 .0 1,而脂肪肝移植组分别为 (832 0± 4 6 5 5 )U/L、(6 4 94± 2 6 5 5 )U/L、0 .13± 0 .0 1,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;VES预处理脂肪肝移植组肝细胞损伤程度明显减轻 ,线粒体UCP 2水平低于脂肪肝移植组。结论　维生素E酯预处理对小鼠脂肪肝移植有一定保护作用。     

改良小鼠肝移植模型建立

目的 建立改良的小鼠原位肝移植模型,探讨较优的手术方式.方法选取体质量相近的昆明小鼠作为供、受体,在两袖套法的基础上,将小鼠肝移植术划分为:供体准备手术、受体准备手术、取肝和整肝及供肝植入手术;提高肝上下腔静脉吻合质量;改进门静脉、下腔静脉及胆总管重建方法;缩短供肝冷缺血时间.检测受体小鼠术后14 d血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)及谷草转氨酶(AST)水平,并与正常小鼠比较.术后14 d切取移植物行病理学检查.结果 供肝冷缺血时间＜45 min,手术成功率达85%,术后小鼠远期存活率近78.5%.术后14 d受体小鼠血清中ALT含量为(35.7±5.8)U/L,AST含量为(110.3±13.9)U/L;与正常小鼠血清中ALT[(31.3±9.5)U/L]及AST[(113.3±15.0)U/L]水平比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).病理学检查示未见缺血再灌注损伤表现.结论 改良的模型制作手术成功率高,供肝冷缺血时间短,是一种较为理想的小鼠肝移植研究模型.     

浅蓝霉素预处理对小鼠原位脂肪肝移植的影响

目的　探讨供体浅蓝霉素预处理对原位小鼠脂肪肝移植保护作用及机制。方法　建立小鼠原位肝移植模型。随机分为正常小鼠组 (n =8)、肥胖小鼠组 (n =8)、非脂肪肝移植组 (n =12 )、脂肪肝移植组 (n =12 )、浅蓝霉素预处理 2d脂肪肝移植组 (n =12 )与预处理 4d脂肪肝移植组 (n =12 )。检测肝功能 ,肝脏组织苏木素 伊红 (HE)染色 ,油红O染色脂肪定量 ,ATP含量及解偶联蛋白 2 (UCP 2 )水平测定。结果　浅蓝霉素预处理的两实验组 2h存活率 (67%、83 % )明显高于未经浅蓝霉素预处理脂肪肝移植组 (2 5 % ) ,血清ALT水平、脂肪容量、线粒体UCP 2水平明显低于后者 ,分别为 (2 3 16± 662 )IU/L、(12 3 0± 3 2 1)IU /L比 (83 2 0± 465 5 )IU/L ;(5 0± 8) %、(3 0±6) %比 (70± 8) % ;(14 .2 1± 1.82 )、(8.74± 0 .97)比 (18.80± 2 .3 3 )。光镜下肝细胞损伤程度亦低于后者 ,而ATP浓度明显高于后者 ,分别为 (0 .2 5± 0 .0 1)、(0 .5 7± 0 .0 1)与 (0 .13± 0 .0 1) ,P均 <0 .0 5。结论　浅蓝霉素预处理对小鼠脂肪肝移植有明显保护作用。     

解耦联蛋白-2基因敲除减轻高脂饮食诱导小鼠脂肪肝缺血再灌注损伤

目的 观察解耦联蛋白-2(UCP-2)基因在脂肪肝缺血再灌注损伤中的作用,探讨以UCP-2为靶点的脂肪供肝预处理新途径.方法 实验动物分为3组:实验组(A组):UCP-2基因敲除小鼠,给予高脂饮食(n=20);空白对照组(B组):野生型同系小鼠,给予正常饮食(n=20);阴性对照组(C组):野生型同系小鼠,给予高脂饮食(n=20).喂养6个月,建屯小鼠脂肪肝模型.各组小鼠阻断门静脉缺血15 min,再灌注24 h后处死,检测肝组织中UCP-2基因表达及三磷酸腺苷(ATP)、活性氧族(ROS)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)水平;并行血清丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)检测及肝组织病理学检测.结果 高脂饮食喂养6个月后成功建立小鼠脂肪肝模型;Western blot证实A组小鼠UCP-2无表达,C组表达明显高于B组;A组ALT、AST、ATP、ROS、LDH的定量值为:(55.33±5.51)、(128.33±7.02)U/L、(28.00±2.00)nmol/L、(165.33±7.09)、(1176.00±22.27)U/pmt;B组上述指标为(25.00±4.58)、(85.33±4.51)U/L、(24.33±4.16)nmol/L、(147.33±7.51)、(707.33±31.64)U/prot;C组为(142.67±13.01)、(220.67±7.02)U/L、(8.67±1.53)nmol/L、(65.00±5.00)、(1748.33±42.52)U/prot,A组和C组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);病理检测表明A组损伤轻于C组.结论 抑制解耦联蛋白-2基因表达能在减轻小鼠脂肪肝急性损伤.     

肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型建立

目的 建立稳定的肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型.方法 以"双袖套法"小鼠肝移植为基础,将带腹主动脉的供肝肝动脉与受体腹主动脉行端侧吻合.共完成小鼠原位肝移植70例,并观察术后24 h、1周、1个月受体存活率,术后1个月肝功能及肝组织病理变化.同时设立假手术组对照.结果 受体术后24 h、1周、1个月存活率分别为94.3%、91.4%、85.7%.术后1个月肝功能ALT:(39.20±2.09)U/L AST:(75.60±3.24)U/L.与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).病理显示肝组织结构良好.结论 该方法可稳定地建立肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型.     

肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型建立

目的 建立稳定的肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型.方法 以"双袖套法"小鼠肝移植为基础,将带腹主动脉的供肝肝动脉与受体腹主动脉行端侧吻合.共完成小鼠原位肝移植70例,并观察术后24 h、1周、1个月受体存活率,术后1个月肝功能及肝组织病理变化.同时设立假手术组对照.结果 受体术后24 h、1周、1个月存活率分别为94.3%、91.4%、85.7%.术后1个月肝功能ALT:(39.20±2.09)U/L AST:(75.60±3.24)U/L.与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).病理显示肝组织结构良好.结论 该方法可稳定地建立肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型.     

肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型建立

目的 建立稳定的肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型.方法 以"双袖套法"小鼠肝移植为基础,将带腹主动脉的供肝肝动脉与受体腹主动脉行端侧吻合.共完成小鼠原位肝移植70例,并观察术后24 h、1周、1个月受体存活率,术后1个月肝功能及肝组织病理变化.同时设立假手术组对照.结果 受体术后24 h、1周、1个月存活率分别为94.3%、91.4%、85.7%.术后1个月肝功能ALT:(39.20±2.09)U/L AST:(75.60±3.24)U/L.与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).病理显示肝组织结构良好.结论 该方法可稳定地建立肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型.     

肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型建立

目的 建立稳定的肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型.方法 以"双袖套法"小鼠肝移植为基础,将带腹主动脉的供肝肝动脉与受体腹主动脉行端侧吻合.共完成小鼠原位肝移植70例,并观察术后24 h、1周、1个月受体存活率,术后1个月肝功能及肝组织病理变化.同时设立假手术组对照.结果 受体术后24 h、1周、1个月存活率分别为94.3%、91.4%、85.7%.术后1个月肝功能ALT:(39.20±2.09)U/L AST:(75.60±3.24)U/L.与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).病理显示肝组织结构良好.结论 该方法可稳定地建立肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型.     

肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型建立

目的 建立稳定的肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型.方法 以"双袖套法"小鼠肝移植为基础,将带腹主动脉的供肝肝动脉与受体腹主动脉行端侧吻合.共完成小鼠原位肝移植70例,并观察术后24 h、1周、1个月受体存活率,术后1个月肝功能及肝组织病理变化.同时设立假手术组对照.结果 受体术后24 h、1周、1个月存活率分别为94.3%、91.4%、85.7%.术后1个月肝功能ALT:(39.20±2.09)U/L AST:(75.60±3.24)U/L.与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).病理显示肝组织结构良好.结论 该方法可稳定地建立肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型.     

肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型建立

目的 建立稳定的肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型.方法 以"双袖套法"小鼠肝移植为基础,将带腹主动脉的供肝肝动脉与受体腹主动脉行端侧吻合.共完成小鼠原位肝移植70例,并观察术后24 h、1周、1个月受体存活率,术后1个月肝功能及肝组织病理变化.同时设立假手术组对照.结果 受体术后24 h、1周、1个月存活率分别为94.3%、91.4%、85.7%.术后1个月肝功能ALT:(39.20±2.09)U/L AST:(75.60±3.24)U/L.与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).病理显示肝组织结构良好.结论 该方法可稳定地建立肝动脉重建的小鼠原位肝移植模型.     

Steatotic liver transplantation in the mouse: a model of primary nonfunction

BACKGROUND: The number of potential donor organs deemed suboptimal for transplantation because of hepatic steatosis is rising as the obesity rate increases. However, no mouse transplant model has been described within the framework of hepatic steatosis. We describe the development of and our initial experience with a steatotic mouse orthotopic liver transplant model using the ob/ob mouse. This model is technically achievable and functionally mimics primary nonfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adapting techniques of a nonarterialized murine transplant model, C57BL6 ob/ob mice aged 5-7 weeks (26-35 g) and lean controls served as liver donors and recipients. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) was performed using a two-cuff technique at the infrahepatic cava and portal vein. The suprahepatic cava was anastomosed end to end, and the bile duct was stented. The hepatic artery was not reconstructed. RESULTS: Lean-to-lean OLT was performed with 70% (n = 10) long-term survival. ob/ob-to-age-matched lean recipients had 0% (n = 10) survival because of size discrepancy. ob/ob livers were transplanted to size-matched lean recipients (>3 months old) with short-term survival of 30% (n = 10). These mice survived the operation, awakened, but expired within 24 h. Serum transaminases revealed a significantly higher injury profile in the recipients of the steatotic livers, and histology showed massive centrilobular coagulative necrosis with hemorrhage, the overall picture being that of primary nonfunction. CONCLUSIONS: This novel use of the ob/ob mouse for OLT provides us with a model for steatotic transplantation with primary nonfunction as the end point and may help to better understand the response of the steatotic liver to the insult of transplantation.     

Clinical experience gained from the use of 120 steatotic donor livers for orthotopic liver transplantation

Steatosis of the donor liver is known to impact on patient and allograft outcome after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of increasing grades of cadaveric donor liver steatosis on recipient outcome. Between January, 1986 and December, 2000, 120 OLTs were performed with 72 mild, 25 moderate, and 23 severe steatotic donor livers. Donors of steatotic livers were more likely to be older (P = .001) and have died of intracerebral haemorrhage than donors of nonsteatotic livers. Initial poor graft function (IPF) was more common in donor livers with either moderate or severe steatosis than in donor livers with mild steatosis (P = .03). Primary graft nonfunction (PNF) occurred in only 1 donor liver with severe steatosis. PGE1 (PGE1) usage was higher in recipients of donor livers with moderate or severe steatosis versus donor livers with mild steatosis (P = .001). Allograft loss was greater at 1 year both in the moderate and severe (P = .03) steatotic liver groups. Patient survival at 3 months and overall allograft survival both were impacted negatively by increasing grades of donor liver steatosis (P = .02, P = .03). Three-month allograft survival was reduced in the steatotic donor livers if the donor was 50+ years old (P = .033). Recipient status at OLT (P = .001) and donor steatosis (P = .046) impacted on 30 day allograft survival (multivariate analysis). In conclusion, increasing grades of donor liver steatosis were associated with worse IPF and increased PGE1 usage. There was a negative impact of steatosis on both recipient and early allograft survival.(Liver Transpl 2003;9:500-505.)     

Assignment of steatotic livers by the Mayo model for end-stage liver disease

Prognosis after liver transplantation depends on a combination of recipient and donor variables. The purpose of this study is to define an allocation system of steatotic donor livers relative to recipient model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. We reviewed 500 consecutive OLT, computing the MELD score for each recipient. Fatty infiltration in grafts was categorized in no steatosis, 10-30%, 30-60% and > or = 60% steatosis. MELD score did not affect preservation injury and graft dysfunction, which were increased with fat content. Recipient and graft survivals lowered when increasing MELD score. Outcome in low-risk recipients (MELD < or = 9) was not altered with steatosis, except those with > or = 60%. Survival functions in moderate-risk recipients (MELD 10-19) were moderately affected with 10-30% steatosis and severely with those with >30. Exactly 30-60% steatotic grafts work poorly in high-risk recipients (MELD > or = 20), and very poorly with > or = 60% steatosis. Prognosis of candidates is optimally influenced when divergence of recipient-donor risks is presented.     

P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1 (rPSGL-Ig)-Mediated Blockade of CD62 Selectin Molecules Protects Rat Steatotic Liver Grafts from Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

We examined the effects of early blockade of CD62 selectin-mediated adhesive interactions in steatotic rat liver models of ex vivo cold ischemia followed by reperfusion or transplantation by administration of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (rPSGL-Ig). In the model of cold ischemia/reperfusion, livers pretreated ex vivo with rPSGL-Ig at harvesting from obese Zucker rats showed significantly decreased portal resistance, increased bile production, and diminished hepatic endothelial neutrophil infiltration, as compared with untreated controls. Pretreatment of fatty livers with rPSGL-Ig prior to transplantation extended the survival of lean Zucker rat recipients from 40% to 90%. This effect correlated with significantly improved liver function, depressed neutrophil activity, and decreased histologic features of hepatocyte injury. Intragraft expression of CD62 P-selectin was similar in both recipient groups. rPSGL-Ig treatment decreased intragraft infiltration by CD3/CD25 cells, diminished expression of pro-inflammatory TNFalpha, IL-6, iNOS, IL-2 and IFN-gamma, without significantly affecting mRNA levels coding for anti-inflammatory IL-4. Thus, rPSGL-Ig blockade of CD62-mediated adhesive interactions protects against severe ischemia/reperfusion injury suffered otherwise by steatotic rat livers. These findings document the potential utility of rPSGL-Ig in increasing the transplant donor pool through modulation of marginal steatotic livers.     

Cytoprotective Effects of a Cyclic RGD Peptide in Steatotic Liver Cold Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury

The serious need for expanding the donor population has attracted attention to the use of steatotic donor livers in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). However, steatotic livers are highly susceptible to hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). Expression of fibronectin (FN) by endothelial cells is an important feature of hepatic response to injury. We report the effect of a cyclic RGD peptide with high affinity for the α5β1, the FN integrin receptor, in a rat model of steatotic liver cold ischemia, followed by transplantation. RGD peptide therapy ameliorated steatotic IRI and improved the recipient survival rate. It significantly inhibited the recruitment of monocyte/macrophages and neutrophils, and depressed the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interferon (IFN)-γ. Moreover, it resulted in profound inhibition of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression, a gelatinase implied in leukocyte migration in damaged livers. Finally, we show that RGD peptide therapy reduced the expression of the 17-kDa active caspase-3 and the number of apoptotic cells in steatotic OLTs. The observed protection against steatotic liver IRI by the cyclic RGD peptides with high affinity for the α5β1 integrin suggests that this integrin is a potential therapeutic target to allow the successful utilization of marginal steatotic livers in transplantation.     

New method of stent-facilitated arterial reconstruction for orthotopic mouse liver transplantation

Background

Arterialized orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in the mouse mimics human liver transplantation physiologically and clinically. The present method of sutured anastomosis for reconstruction of the hepatic artery is complex and is associated with high incidence of complications and failure. This makes the endpoint assessment of using this complex model difficult because of the many variables of the technical aspect.

Methods

A total of 14 pairs of donors and recipients from syngeneic male mice were used for arterialized OLT. The grafts were stored in University of Wisconsin solution at 4°C for less than 4 h, and the recipients underwent OLT using a two-cuff technique. The arterial reconstruction was facilitated by the use of a single stent connecting the donor liver artery segment to the recipient common hepatic artery.

Results

All 14 recipients survived with the time for arterial reconstruction ranging from 4–10 min. Patency of the artery was confirmed by transecting the artery near the graft 2 and 14 d after transplantation. At day 2, five of the six arteries transected were patent and at day 14, seven of the remaining eight were patent for an overall patency rate of 85.7%.

Conclusions

The stent-facilitated arterial reconstruction can be done quickly with a high patency rate. This model expands the translational research efforts to address marginal livers such as steatotic livers.     

The use of liver grafts from donors with bacterial meningitis

BACKGROUND: The shortage of suitable donors for transplantation is a worldwide problem. The use of cadaveric donors with bacterial meningitis may be associated with an increased risk of sepsis. We report the results of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) from 33 such donors between 1989 and 1999. METHODS: The hospital records of recipients from cadaveric donors with meningitis (study group) were retrospectively reviewed and compared with matched recipients from cadaveric donors dying from causes other than meningitis (recipient-matched control group). RESULTS: A total of 34 recipients underwent 21 whole, 10 reduced, and 3 split liver transplants from 33 cadaveric donor livers with bacterial meningitis. The donor meningitis pathogens were Neisseria meningitidis (n=14), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n=4), Haemophilus influenzae (n=1), Streptococcus species (n=2), and unknown (n=12). Twenty-seven patients had an elective OLT and seven patients had an emergency OLT. Adequate antimicrobial therapy before organ procurement and after transplant was administrated. The mean posttransplant follow-up was 37 months (range: 1 day-106 months). There was no difference in recipient and graft survival rates between the study and the recipient-matched groups. In the study group, there were no infectious complications caused by the meningeal pathogens. Overall patient survival rates were 79%, 76%, 72%, and 72% at 1, 6, 12, and 60 months, respectively. Graft survival was 77%, 70%, 65%, and 65% at 1, 6, 12, and 60 months, respectively. The survival rate in elective cases was significantly better than emergency cases (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation from donors with bacterial meningitis is a safe procedure provided both donors and recipients receive adequate antimicrobial therapy.     

Protective role of bortezomib in steatotic liver ischemia/reperfusion injury through abrogation of MMP activation and YKL-40 expression

Steatotic liver grafts tolerate ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury poorly, contributing to poor survival following transplantation. However the molecular mechanisms leading to I/R injury still remain to be defined. We have previously reported that the protective effect of bortezomib towards inhibiting cold induced I/R injury in obese rat liver transplant model is through NF-κB down modulation. In this report using an orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) model in Zucker rats (from obese, leptin deficient donor, to lean recipient) we defined the mechanisms of steatotic liver injury, and characterized the role of bortezomib in inhibiting MMP activation and YKL-40, both of which are involved in extracellular matrix deposition and fibrosis, the key pathological features of liver allograft failure. Obese donor rats were treated with bortezomib (i.v., 0.1 mg/kg immediately prior to liver procurement) to assess the role of MMP and YKL-40 in steatotic liver I/R injury. I/R injury in steatotic livers resulted in significant increases in expression of YKL-40 (9 fold), and activation of MMP-2 (15 fold)/MMP-9 (12 fold). Bortezomib treatment reduced the expression of YKL-40 and MMP to basal levels. Bortezomib also inhibited the pro-fibrotic (VEGF, HGF, bFGF, TGF-β) and pro-inflammatory (IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ) cytokines significantly in comparison to untreated animals with I/R injury. These results demonstrate that I/R injury in steatotic livers following transplantation are associated with MMP activation and YKL-40 upregulation resulting in pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory cytokine release. Administration of the proteosomal inhibitor, bortezomib, effectively attenuated the I/R injury by inhibiting MMP and YKL-40 expression and therefore support the clinical utility of this drug in donor management for preventing I/R injury and its sequelae.     

Use of severely steatotic grafts in liver transplantation: a matched case-control study

BACKGROUND: Although there is a worldwide need to expand the pool of available liver grafts, cadaveric livers with severe steatosis (>60%) are discarded for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) by most centers. METHODS: We analyzed patients receiving liver grafts with severe steatosis between January 2002 and September 2006. These patients were matched 1:2 with control patients without severe steatosis according to status the waiting list, recipient age, recipient body mass index (BMI), and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Primary end points were the incidence of primary graft nonfunction (PNF), and graft and patient survival. Secondary end points included primary graft dysfunction (PDF), the incidence of postoperative complications, and histologic assessment of steatosis in follow-up biopsies. We also conducted a survey on the use of grafts with severe steatosis among leading European liver transplant centers. RESULTS: During the study period, 62 patients dropped out of the waiting list and 45 of them died due to progression of disease. Of 118 patients who received transplants 20 (17%) received a graft with severe steatosis during this period. The median degree of total liver steatosis was 90% (R = 65%-100%) for the steatotic group. The steatotic (n = 20) and matched control group (n = 40) were comparable in terms of recipient age, BMI, MELD score, and cold ischemia time. The steatotic group had a significantly higher rate of PDF and/or renal failure. Although the median intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay were not significantly different between both groups, the proportion of patients with long-term ICU (> or =21 days) and hospital (> or =40 days) stay was significantly higher for patients with a severely steatotic graft. Sixty-day mortality (5% vs. 5%) and 3-year patient survival rate (83% vs. 84%) were comparable between the control and severe steatosis group. Postoperative histologic assessment demonstrated that the median total amount of liver steatosis decreased significantly (median: 90% to 15%, P < 0.001). Our survey showed that all but one of the European centers currently reject liver grafts with severe steatosis for any recipient. CONCLUSION: Due to the urgent need of liver grafts, severely steatotic grafts should be no longer discarded for OLT. Maximal effort must be spent when dealing with these high-risk organs but the use of severely steatotic grafts may save the lives of many patients who would die on the waiting list.     

Fatty Acid Synthase Blockade Protects Steatotic Livers from Warm Ischemia Reperfusion Injury and Transplantation

Cerulenin has been shown to reduce body weight and hepatic steatosis in murine models of obesity by inhibiting fatty acid synthase (FAS). We have shown that attenuating intrahepatocyte lipid content diminished the sensitivity of ob/ob mice to ischemia/reperfusion injury and improved survival after liver transplantation. The mechanism of action is by inhibition of fatty acid metabolism by downregulating PPARalpha, as well as mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), with a concomitant increase in ATP. A short treatment course of cerulenin prior to I/R injury is ideal for protection of steatotic livers. Cerulenin opens the potential for expanding the use of steatotic livers in transplantation.