Hepatocellular Glycogen in Alleviation of Liver Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury During Partial Hepatectomy

Background Temporary occlusion of liver blood supply for complex liver operation is common in liver surgery. However, hepatic vascular occlusion will undoubtedly impair liver function. This study was designed to elucidate the effect of hepatocellular glycogen in alleviation of liver ischemia-reperfusion injury during hepatic vascular occlusion for partial hepatectomy. Methods Fifty-seven patients were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 29) and a control group (n = 28). In the experimental group, patients were given high-concentration glucose intravenously during 24 h before the operation. The hepatic lesion was resected after portal triad clamping in the two groups. Noncancer liver tissue was biopsied to measure hepatic tissue ATP content and change of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Liver function of all patients was assessed by using an automatic biochemical analysis apparatus before the operation and the first and fifth days after operation. Results The mean hepatic vascular occlusion time in the experimental group was 19.21 ± 4.54 min and in the control group it was 21.04 ± 5.11 min. Hepatic tissue ATP content of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group at the end of hepatic vascular occlusion (2.15 ± 0.39 μmol/g wet tissue vs. 1.33 ± 0.44, p < 0.01) and at the point of 1-h reperfusion (2.19 ± 0.29 μmol/g wet tissue vs. 1.57 ± 0.35, p < 0.01). There was significant difference in SOD activity between the two groups at the end of hepatic vascular occlusion (130.69 ± 30.49 NU/mg pr vs. 97.83 ± 26.23, p < 0.01) and at the point of 1-h reperfusion (139.55 ± 39.88 NU/mg pr vs. 114.74 ± 25.93, p < 0.01). Significant difference was shown in MDA content between the two groups at the end of hepatic vascular occlusion (3.02 ± 0.30 nmol/mg pr vs. 3.99 ± 0.49, p < 0.01) and at the point of 1-h reperfusion (3.81 ± 0.69 nmol/mg pr vs. 5.75 ± 1.17, p < 0.01). In addition, the liver function of the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group the first and fifth days after the operation (p < 0.01). Conclusions Abundant intracellular glycogen may reduce liver ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by hepatic vascular occlusion. It is beneficial to give a large amount of glucose before a complex liver operation during which temporary occlusion of hepatic blood flow is necessary.