Pharmacologic graft protection without donor pretreatment in liver transplantation from non-heart-beating donors

BACKGROUND: Non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs) are considered potential sources of transplant organs in an effort to alleviate the problem of donor shortage in clinical liver transplantation. We investigated the possibility of pharmacologic protection of hepatic allograft function from NHBDs without donor pretreatment. METHODS: Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed using pigs. In donors, cardiac arrest was induced by stopping the respirator. Forty-five minutes after cessation of the respirator, the liver was flushed with cold lactated Ringer's solution including heparin and with the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution, and then preserved for 8 hr at 4 degrees C in the UW solution. The pigs were divided into two groups: a control group and a treated group. In the treated group, an endothelin antagonist TAK-044 was added to the UW solutions (10 mg/L), and TAK-044 (10 mg/kg body weight) and a platelet activating factor antagonist E5880 (0.3 mg/kg body weight) were also administered to the recipients. RESULTS: TAK-044 and E5880 treatment significantly increased the 7-day survival rate of the recipients (100% vs. 17%, P<0.05). In the treated group, portal venous pressure immediately after reperfusion of the graft was significantly lower than in the control group, and postoperative increase in serum concentrations of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and total bilirubin was attenuated. Moreover, the energy charge and adenosine triphosphate concentration of the liver were rapidly restored after reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacologic modulation with TAK-044 and E5880 avoiding donor pretreatment can improve the viability of hepatic allografts procured from NHBDs.     

Gadolinium pretreatment decreases survival and impairs liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy under ischemia/reperfusion in rats

BACKGROUND: Modulation of Kupffer cell functions by treatment with gadolinium chloride protects the liver against reperfusion injury. However, its effect on liver regeneration after hepatectomy under ischemia/reperfusion has not been studied. Using a common clinical ischemia/reperfusion technique, we examined the effect of gadolinium on liver regeneration after hepatectomy in rats. METHODS: After an initial 15-minute ischemia and 15-minute reperfusion, 70% hepatectomy was performed during the second 15-minute ischemia period in gadolinium-pretreated (gadolinium group) and saline solution--pretreated (control group) rats. The 24-hour survival rate, relative liver weight, DNA synthesis rate, and hepatic adenosine triphosphate level were examined immediately after hepatectomy and on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 2, 3, and 7. Serum levels of total bilirubin, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and endotoxin were also measured. RESULTS: The 24-hour survival rate was significantly lower in the gadolinium group (67%) than in the control group (100%). On POD 1, the relative liver weight and DNA synthesis rate were significantly lower in the gadolinium group than in the control group. On POD 1, serum total bilirubin and endotoxin levels were significantly higher in the gadolinium group than in the control group. Immediately after hepatectomy, the hepatic adenosine triphosphate level was significantly lower in the gadolinium group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Under ischemia/reperfusion, gadolinium pretreatment impairs liver regeneration and energy status after hepatectomy and decreases postoperative survival.     

Experimental study of the effect of intraportal prostaglandin E1 on hepatic blood flow during reperfusion after ischaemia and hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has protective effects experimentally and clinically in individual models of hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion injury and of partial hepatectomy. The present study investigated the effects of intraportal administration of PGE1 on hepatic blood flow, systemic arterial pressure and long-term animal survival after 60 min of total liver ischaemia followed by 70 per cent partial hepatectomy in rats. METHODS: Total liver ischaemia was induced by occluding the hepatoduodenal ligament for 60 min. PGE1 0.5 microg per kg per min was infused intraportally for 15 min before inducing ischaemia and for 120 min after ischaemia in the treatment group. Normal saline was infused in the control group. During ischaemia 70 per cent partial hepatectomy was performed. Portal venous flow (PVF), peripheral tissue blood flow (PTBF) and hepatic artery flow were measured before and after ischaemia. Serum biochemical analysis was carried out at 1, 3 and 24 h, and 7 and 14 days; and liver histology at 1 and 24 h, and 7 days after reperfusion. Survival was followed for 1 year. RESULTS: Intraportal infusion of PGE1 significantly improved PVF and PTBF without affecting the systemic arterial pressure. Long-term survival was significantly higher in the PGE1 group. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels decreased significantly, and 2-h bile flow was significantly improved, in the PGE1 group. Histological examination revealed significant portal venous congestion, sinusoidal congestion, fatty degeneration and tissue necrosis 24 h and 7 days after reperfusion in the control group. CONCLUSION: PGE1 has a protective effect against liver damage when the liver is injured by warm ischaemia and reperfusion followed by partial resection.     

肝缺血再灌注对肝硬化大鼠的损伤作用

目的 研究肝硬化大鼠肝缺血再灌注（hepatic ischemia reperfusion,HIR）损伤的机制和程度。方法 用60％四经碳（CCl4）溶液皮下注射方法制作肝硬化大鼠模型，肝硬化大鼠随机分为六组：A组：假手术组（6只）；B、C、D组：分别为肝门完全阻断20min、30min、40min（每组各16只）；E组“单纯肠系膜上静脉阻断（16只）;F组：肝门阻断＋门腔转流（16只）；另外，随机取10只正常肝脏大鼠组成G组，行肝门完全阻断30min。观察7天存活率、丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、透明质酸（HA）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF），以及肝、肺病理的变化。结果 B、C、D、E、F、G组的7天存活率分别为10／10只、6／10只、4／10只、5／10只、8／10只、6／10只；再灌注后4h血清TNF变化：后六组均明显高于术前，C、D组高于B、A组，E、F组也明显高于A组（P＜0.01）再灌注4h后HA变化：D组明显高于B、E组，F、C组明显高于A组（P＜0.05）；再灌注4h后D、C组的AST、ALT均明显高于B组、A组、D组的AST明显高于F组，F组的AST、ALT显著高于E组（P＜0.05）；C、G两组比较，上述指标的差异无显著性（P＞0.05）；肝、肺组织学检查可见肝、肺的病理损害，程度随缺血时间的延长而加重，E组损伤重于F组。结论 硬化肝脏肝缺血再灌注损伤涉及全身多个器官，门脉静淤血可能是损伤乃至死亡的主要原因；肝硬化大鼠耐受肝缺血的最大的时限在30min以内。     

Pringle's maneuver and selective inflow occlusion in living donor liver hepatectomy.

While inflow occlusion techniques such as Pringle's maneuver are accepted methods of reducing bleeding without inducing liver injury during liver surgery, donor hepatectomy for living donor liver transplantation is currently performed without inflow occlusion for fear that injury to the graft may result. We have performed donor hepatectomy for 12 years using selective intermittent inflow occlusion, a technique in which the portion used to form the graft is perfused during hepatectomy. Starting in November 2000, we applied intermittent Pringle's maneuver to donor hepatectomy in 81 cases of living donor liver transplantation. We reviewed our experience with Pringle's maneuver and selective inflow occlusion techniques in donor hepatectomy in living donor liver transplantation. The quality of the grafts was assessed and compared by determining maximum postoperative aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values. Neither primary nonfunction nor dysfunction occurred. Maximum AST values in the recipients were the same whether the liver segments that formed the grafts were totally ischemic during dissection (total ischemia), partially ischemic (partial ischemia), perfused only with arterial blood flow (portal ischemia), or not ischemic at all (no ischemia). Maximum ALT values in the recipients of the total ischemia group was lower, albeit not significantly, than in other groups. Total inflow occlusion can be applied to living donor hepatectomy without causing graft injury. In conclusion, because the transection surface is blood-free, there is decreased risk to the donor during living donor liver transplantation surgery, and surgeons should not hesitate to apply this technique because it contributes to donor safety.     

Heat shock preconditioning on mitochondria during warm ischemia in rat livers

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of stress tolerance from heat shock preconditioning on changes in mitochondrial functions during ischemia-reperfusion injury of the liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were divided into a heat shock group (group HS) and a control group (group C). In group HS, rats received heat shock pretreatment 48 h prior to ischemia-reperfusion. Heat shock pretreatment was performed in a water bath at 42 degrees C for 15 min under general anesthesia. In group C, the same treatment was done with the water bath at 37 degrees C instead of at 42 degrees C. A 30-min warm ischemia by cramping the hepatoduodinal ligament (Pringle's maneuver) followed by a 60-min reperfusion was administered to all rats. Changes in membrane potential of hepatic mitochondria (MPM); mitochondrial respiratory function before ischemia (n = 5), after ischemia (n = 10), and after reperfusion (n = 10); and ATP recovery after reperfusion were compared between the groups. RESULTS: After a 30-min ischemia, MPM in group C decreased significantly and did not recover even after reperfusion. On the other hand, MPM in group HS was maintained even after a 30-min ischemia and 60 min into reperfusion as well. The respiratory control ratio (RCR) of the mitochondria in group C decreased to as low as 5.06 +/- 0.72 after a 30-min ischemia, but in group HS, RCR was maintained near a normal level. The ATP level recovered significantly earlier in group HS than in group C after reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Heat shock preconditioning of the liver protected mitochondria from loss of membrane integrity during ischemia and contributed to their ability to produce energy-rich phosphates during reperfusion.     

Assessment of Effect of Intraperitoneal Tacrolimus on Liver Regeneration in Major (70%) Hepatectomy Model After Experimental Pringle Maneuver in Rats

AimSmall-for-size grafts have become more important, especially in living donor liver transplants. The Pringle maneuver, used to reduce blood loss, and the immunosuppressive medications used to prevent graft rejection in liver transplants have different side effects on liver regeneration. We researched the effect of situations where tacrolimus and the Pringle maneuver were applied or not on liver regeneration in rats with partial hepatectomy.Material and MethodsThis study was completed with 35 Wistar Albino rats. The subjects were randomly divided into 5 groups: Group 1 had the abdomen opened and no other procedure was performed; Group 2 underwent a 70% hepatectomy; Group 3 underwent a 15-minute Pringle maneuver + 70% hepatectomy; Group 4 underwent a 70% hepatectomy + 5 days of 1 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal tacrolimus; and Group 5 underwent a 150 minute Pringle maneuver + 0% hepatectomy + 5 days of 1 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal tacrolimus. All rats were sacrificed on the seventh postoperative day, remaining liver tissue was weighed, and weight indices created. The remaining liver tissue was stained with phosphohistone H3 and the mitotic index calculated.ResultsThe groups that underwent the Pringle maneuver, 70% hepatectomy, and tacrolimus administration were compared with the control group in terms of mitotic index and weight index, but no statistically significant differences were identified.ConclusionSuppression of regeneration forms a risk after liver transplantation with small-volume grafts. As a result, research on the effect of tacrolimus combined with the Pringle maneuver is important, especially for transplantations using segmented liver grafts. In our study, we showed that the use of tacrolimus had no negative effect on liver regeneration.     

大鼠部分肝缺血再灌注损伤后切除对肝再生的影响

目的 观察大鼠部分肝缺血再灌注损伤后切除对残肝再生的影响.方法 将75只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为5组:肝脏左叶和中叶(约占全肝70%)切除组(Control组)、肝脏左叶和中叶缺血10min再灌注30min后切除组(I10R30组)、类推得到I60R30组、I90R30组、I90R60组.术后6、12、24h等时间点,测定再生肝重量(RLW);自动生化分析仪检测血清丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)含量;酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测血清肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α含量;通过免疫组织化学法检测残肝增殖细胞核抗原(Ki-67)表达.结果 术后12h,I60R30、I90R30和I90R60组RLW值分别为(1.80±0.03)%、(1.82±0.10)%、(1.87±0.05)%;Ki-67值分别为(58.35±2.18)%、(59.73±3.06)%、(62.65±2.24)%,均明显高于对照组(P<0.05).缺血再灌注干预各组ALT和AST明显高于对照组(P<0.05).术后6h和12h,I60R30、I90R30和I90R60组TNF-α明显高于对照组(P<0.05).结论 大鼠即将被切除的肝脏先缺血再灌注后切除,对残肝再生具有促进作用;诱导产生的TNF-α表达量增多是促进肝再生的原因之一.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the effects of ischemia reperfusion injury before partial hepatectomy on liver regeneration in rats. Methods Seventy-five male healthy SD rats were randomly classified into 5 groups: group control, in which rats were only subjected to 70% hepatectomy; group I10R30, 70% liver hepatectomy after 10 min of ischemia and 30 min of reperfusion in the resected liver; By analogy, group I60R30, group I90R30 and group I90R60 were constructed. At 6th, 12th and 24th h after operation, RLW was determined; serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities were measured by using autoanalyzer; the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were determined by ELISA and the expression level of Ki-67 was detected by using immunohistochemical methods in the residual liver tissues. Results At 12th h after partial hepatectomy, the rate of RLW in group I60R30, group I90R30 and group I90R60 was (1.80±0.03)%, (1.82±0.10)%, (1.87±0.05)% respectively; the rate of Ki-67 was (58.35±2.18)%, (59.73±3.06)%, (62.65±2.24)% respectively, which was significantly higher than that in the group control (P<0.05). The levels of ALT and AST in rats with ischemia reperfusion injury were higher than in the group control (P<0.05). At 6th h and 12th h after operation, the expression levels of TNF-α in groups I60R30, I90R30 and I90R60 were significantly higher than those in the group control (P<0.05). Conclusion Ischemia reperfusion injury in the resected liver before partial hepatectomy could improve liver regeneration of the remnant liver in rats. The high expression of induced TNF-α may be one of the reasons.     

The effects of intraportal administration of prostaglandin E1 on liver ischemia and hepatectomy in rats

The effects of intraportal administration of prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) on portal venous flow, hepatic arterial flow, peripheral tissue blood flow, and systemic arterial flow before and after 60 min total liver ischemia followed by 70% partial hepatectomy in rats were investigated. Total liver ischemia was induced by occluding the hepatoduodenal ligament for 60 min. PGE₁ at a dose of 0.5 μg/kg/min was infused intraportally for 15 min before inducing hepatic ischemia (preischemic period) and for 60 min after ischemia (postischemic reperfusion period) in the treatment group. Normal saline was infused in the control group. Seventy percent partial hepatectomy was performed during ischemia. Serum biochemical analysis and liver tissue histology were carried out 1, 3, and 24 h, and 1 and 24 h after reperfusion respectively. One-week survival of the PGE₁ group was improved to 70% compared to that of the control group of 30%. Postischemia reperfusion values of portal and peripheral tissue blood flows in the PGE₁ group were 6.33 ± 0.600 ml/min and 27.2 ± 23.5 (arbitrary), and were significantly different from those of the control group of 4.34 ± 0.400 ml/min and 23.5 ± 5.54 (arbitrary), respectively. There was no significant difference in hepatic arterial flow between the two groups. Serum alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly in the prostaglandin group. Histological examination revealed a significant portal venous congestion in the control group 1 and 24 h after reperfusion. The extent of the sinusoidal congestion was also severe in the control group 24 h after reperfusion. It was concluded that PGE₁ has a protective effect against liver damage when the liver was injured by warm ischemia and reperfusion followed by partial resection. Received for publication on May 30, 1997; accepted on July 27, 1998     

Effects of ischemic preconditioning on regenerative capacity of hepatocyte in the ischemically damaged rat livers

BACKGROUND: Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy is regulated by several factors that activate or inhibit hepatocyte proliferation. A short period of ischemia-reperfusion (IR), called ischemic preconditioning (IPC), protects the liver against subsequent sustained ischemic insults. The present study investigated the effects of IPC on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy under IR in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were subjected to 45 min of total hepatic ischemia, and 70% hepatectomy was performed just before reperfusion. Animals were pre-treated with either IPC (10/15 min) (IPC + PHx group) or not (ischemia + PHx). The survival rate, serum transaminases, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interleukin (IL)-6 levels, hepatocyte proliferation and histological change of the remnant liver were measured in both groups and compared with non-ischemic controls subjected to 70% hepatectomy alone (PHx group). RESULTS: The survival rate was significantly better in the IPC + PHx group than in the ischemia + PHx group. Furthermore, IPC reduced liver injury determined by liver histology and serum transaminases. There was an early rise in serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in the ischemia + PHx group. Compared with non-ischemic controls, IPC significantly decreased TNF-alpha, but not IL-6 during the late (24 and 48 h) phases of reperfusion. Rats subjected to 70% hepatectomy and 45 min of hepatic ischemia showed significantly reduced hepatocyte proliferation (mitotic index, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and relative liver weight) when compared with animals subjected to hepatectomy alone. However, hepatocyte proliferation was markedly increased in rats pretreatment with IPC when compared with ischemic controls. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ischemic pre-conditioning ameliorates the hepatic injury associated with ischemia-reperfusion and has a stimulatory effect on liver cell regeneration that may make it valuable as a hepatoprotective modality. Il-6 appears to be key mediator in promoting regeneration after combined ischemia and hepatic resection.     

Control of Intraoperative Bleeding During Liver Resection: Analysis of a Questionnaire Sent to 231 Japanese Hospitals

To determine the safest and most efficient way of performing hepatectomy, the differences in methods employed by Japanese surgeons were examined. In November 1998, a questionnaire on bleeding control during hepatectomy was sent to 270 hospitals located throughout Japan. The answers from 231 hospitals (85.6%) were analyzed. Surgical apparatus such as an ultrasonic dissector (USD) was used in 203 hospitals. Pringle's maneuver was performed routinely in 25%, for segmentectomy and subsegmentectomy in 25%, for lobectomy in 9%, depending on the situation in 34%, and never in 7%. In 135 hospitals (60%), hemostatic materials such as fibrin glue were always applied to the cut surface after hepatectomy. The USD was chosen and widely accepted by the hospitals studied. As Japanese patients with hepatoma often have liver cirrhosis, intermittent occlusion and the selective clamping of hepatic inflow were considered preferable to persistent inflow occlusion. The gentle exposure of hepatic venous branches, careful hemostasis during hepatectomy, and accurate location of the hepatic vein by intraoperative ultrasonography were all considered to be extremely important. Received: November 16, 2000 / Accepted: July 17, 2001     

FR167653 improves survival and pulmonary injury after partial hepatectomy under ischemia/reperfusion in rats.

BACKGROUND: FR167653 is a potent suppressant of production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1 beta, which play an important role in hepatic and pulmonary injury due to ischemia/reperfusion of the liver and in liver regeneration after hepatectomy. We examined the effects of FR167653 on hepatectomy under ischemia/reperfusion in rats. METHODS: After initial 15-min ischemia and 5-min reperfusion, 70% hepatectomy was performed during the second 15-min ischemia period in FR167653-treated (FR group) and saline-treated (saline group) rats. The survival rate, relative liver weight, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, DNA synthesis rate of the remnant liver, and histological change and adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) of the lung were examined. Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and hepatic malondialdehyde were also measured. RESULTS: Expressions of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta in the remnant liver were significantly inhibited in the FR group compared to the saline group. The survival was significantly better and pulmonary damage was less in the FR group after hepatectomy under ischemia/reperfusion. ICAM-1 expression of the lung was not altered after hepatectomy and was not significantly different between the two groups. Liver regeneration and injury were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: FR167653 does not affect liver injury and regeneration after hepatectomy under ischemia/reperfusion, while it ameliorates pulmonary injury and improves the survival.     

改良式绕肝提拉法半肝切除的临床应用研究

目的 探讨改良绕肝提拉法(liver hanging maneuver)半肝切除的临床实用性和安全性.方法 将24例行半肝切除术的患者分为两组:改良式绕肝提拉法半肝切除组12例,Pringle's阻断法半肝切除组12例.比较两种半肝切除方法的术中失血量、手术时间、术后肝功能及并发症发生率等指标.结果 两组均顺利完成手术,两组手术时间相比差异无统计学意义.术中平均失血量,改良组为(160±40)ml,Pringle's组为(560±120)ml,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).术后第3天和第7天肝功能(ALT、AST、TB)测试数据,改良半肝切除组优于全肝入肝血流阻断组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).术后改良半肝切除组的腹腔引流量、住院时间和并发症均少于全肝入肝血流阻断组,其中腹腔引流量统计两组差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 改良式绕肝提拉法半肝切除是安全实用的.     

选择性肝血流阻断肝切除术的应用

目的探讨选择性肝血流阻断肝切除术的安全性和可行性。方法回顾性分析我院2002年3月至2006年10月行肝切除术65例,分为选择性肝血流阻断组（HVC,n=28）和第一肝门阻断组（Pringle,n=37）;比较两组病人术中出血量、手术时间、术后肝功能的恢复、术后两天的平均引流量以及术后并发症。结果两组病人术中出血量和手术时间均无显著性差异;HVC组术后3天和7天的血清谷丙转氨酶明显低于Pringle组,术后两天的平均引流量HVC组明显少于Pringle组;Pringle组有两例出现肝功能衰竭,其中1例死亡,HVC组没有肝功能衰竭及死亡病例。结论选择性肝血流阻断肝切除术安全、可行,较第一肝门阻断更有利于肝功能的恢复,减少肝功能衰竭的发生。     

Remnant liver injury after hepatectomy with the pringle maneuver and its inhibition by an iNOS inhibitor (ONO-1714) in a pig model

BACKGROUND: Although hepatectomy is often performed with the Pringle maneuver, the problem of remnant liver injury is not fully solved. We examined the remnant liver injury of hepatectomy under the Pringle maneuver and its relation to inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a pig hepatectomy model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pigs were subjected to a total of eight Pringle maneuvers followed by re-perfusion. The pigs were divided into the following three groups: Control group; only Pringle maneuver, liver resection (LR) group; hepatectomy under the Pringle maneuver, and ONO group; and hepatectomy under the Pringle maneuver with an iNOS inhibitor (ONO-1714). We investigated the changes in serum aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), NO(2)(-)+NO(3)(-) (NOx), the hepatic tissue blood flow (HTBF), the cellular distribution of endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase, nitrotyrosine, infiltration of neutrophils, and thrombocyte-thrombi by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The serum AST, LDH, NOx levels in the LR group were significantly higher than those in the Control group. The formation of iNOS, nitrotyrosine, thrombocyte-thrombi, and infiltration of neutrophils were recognized in the LR group. These findings were inhibited in the ONO group. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that remnant liver injury appeared after hepatectomy with the Pringle maneuver. iNOS was involved in these injuries and the iNOS inhibitor attenuated the injury.     

Lactate is correlated with the indocyanine green elimination rate in liver resection for cirrhotic patients

The role of lactate in liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in cirrhosis has not been clarified. Fifty patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent partial liver resection under Pringle's maneuver were included in this study. We performed the indocyanine green clearance test before the operation and three times during the surgery to calculate its elimination rate. Blood lactate and base excess were measured at the corresponding times. Systolic and diastolic systemic arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac index, and esophageal temperature were monitored. Aminotransferase levels were recorded the day before the operation, 1 h after the operation, and on the first and third postoperative days. We calculated the increase or decrease in lactate levels during the preischemic, ischemic, and postischemic phases, and examined the correlation between these results and the changes in indocyanine green elimination rate and some clinical factors. The lactate levels increased before reperfusion and began to decrease after reperfusion. The lactate increase and decrease during the ischemic and postischemic phases correlated with the change in indocyanine green elimination rate (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.02 for the respective phases). The lactate increase during the preischemic phase correlated with the duration of the preischemic phase (P < 0.0001). In cirrhotic patients who undergo liver resection with Pringle's maneuver and who do not show postoperative liver failure, the blood lactate profile might be a reliable indicator of liver metabolic capacity during surgery. IMPLICATIONS: In cirrhotic patients who underwent liver resection with Pringle's maneuver, the lactate increase and decrease during the ischemic and postischemic phases correlated with the change in the indocyanine green elimination rate. The blood lactate profile might be a reliable indicator of liver metabolic capacity during surgery.     

Improvement of morphological changes after 70% hepatectomy with portocaval shunt: preclinical study in porcine model

BACKGROUND: After extensive hepatectomy, excessive portal venous flow (PVF) and elevated portal venous pressure (PVP) may lead to postoperative liver damage. We have evaluated the use of portocaval shunt (PCS) to control PVF and PVP following partial hepatectomy (PH) to reduce the postoperative liver damage. METHOD: Twenty-four pigs were divided into two Groups: Group C (n = 10) underwent 70% PH alone and Group S (n = 14) underwent 70% PH with PCS. The changes in PVF, PVP, serum liver function tests, and histology were evaluated. RESULTS: PVP and PVF per unit of remnant liver weight and serum total bilirubin levels in Group S were significantly lower than those in Group C postoperatively (P < 0.05). Histology showed that there were significant differences in hepatocyte ballooning, necrosis, and neutrophil aggregation between the two groups (P < 0.05). In particular, hepatic necrosis was observed in zone 3 of Group C as centrilobular necrosis. These results suggest that hepatic and sinusoidal damage after 70% PH were more severe in Group C than in Group S, with the latter group maintaining an almost normal ultrastructural appearance. Hepatocyte apoptotic index differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: After 70% PH, extensive centrolobular necrosis and neutrophil aggregation were present and may have caused liver damage, manifested as hyperbilirubinemia and coagulopathy. The delayed liver regeneration with PCS may reduce the postoperative liver damages rather than the rapid liver hypertrophy. The diversion of PVF with PCS to maintain adequate PVP is a very effective procedure for avoiding the postoperative liver failure after extensive hepatectomy.     

The roles of platelet-activating factor and endothelin-1 in renal damage after total hepatic ischemia and reperfusion

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to verify the involvement of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in renal damage associated with hepatic ischemia and reperfusion (HIR) injury through the release of endothelin (ET)-1 and to determine the modulating effect of a specific PAF receptor antagonist on these insults in rats. METHODS: Male rats pretreated with either normal saline as a vehicle (NS group) or intravenous TCV-309, a PAF receptor antagonist (TCV group), were subjected to 120 min of total hepatic ischemia under an extracorporeal portosystemic shunt. Plasma aspartate transaminase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and ET-1 levels and the relative renal wet weight were determined under nonischemic conditions and at 1, 3, and 6 hr of reperfusion after hepatic ischemia. Changes in mean arterial blood pressure and renal tissue blood flow measurements in the kidney were determined throughout the experiment. RESULTS: Increased plasma aspartate transaminase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and ET-1 levels and the relative renal wet weight after HIR in the NS group were significantly suppressed by TCV-309 pretreatment. Mean arterial blood pressure and renal tissue blood flow after HIR in the TCV group were significantly improved when compared with those in the NS group. These effects resulted in attenuation of structural hepatic and renal damage with the improvement of 7-day survival (62%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that renal damage as well as critical liver injury is produced after reperfusion following 120 min of total hepatic ischemia. A PAF receptor antagonist may be therapeutically useful to protect against these types of damage via indirect modulation of plasma ET-1 levels.