Effects of Intraportal PGE₁ Administration on 90-minute Warm Ischemic Liver Damage in Dogs

Eishi Totsuka, Mutsuo Sasaki, Takayuki Morita, Mitsuru Konn

The Second Department of Surgery, Hirosaki University School of Medicine

To investigate the most effective route of administration of prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁ ) against warm ischemic liver damage, a model of 90-min warm ischemic liver was established in dogs. The dogs were divided into three groups: a PGE₁-untreated group (group A, n=10), an intravenous PGE₁-administered group (group B, n=10) and an intraportal PGE₁-administered group (group C, n=10). PGE₁ was continuously infused before and after the ischemia at a rate of 0.02 µg/kg/min.In groups A and B, all the dogs died within 24 h. However in group C, six of the 10 dogs survived and were sacrificed on the 4th day. Arterial ketone body ratio and the ratio of branched chain amino acids to aromatic amino acids in the hepatic vein were examined to observe oxidation-reduction ability and amino acid metabolism in hepatocytes, respectivley. These ratios were maintained in group C, but not in groups A and B. According to the value of serum lipid peroxide, it was considered that the hepatocellular membrane was protected from reperfusion injury in group C. On the other hand, in group C, serum platelet activating factor was sustained as a lower level than that of other groups, and endotoxin detoxication was maintained after ischemia. It was suggested that intraportal administration of PGE₁ provides a more protective effect than intravenous administration against warm ischemic liver injury.

Key words
warm ischemic liver damage, PGE₁, arterial ketone body ratio, lipid peroxide, platlet activating factor, endotoxin

Reprint requests
Eishi Totsuka The Second Department of Surgery, Hirosaki University School of Medicine
2 Zaifu-cho, k Hirosaki, 036 JAPAN

Accepted
April 13, 1994

To read the PDF file you will need Abobe Reader installed on your computer.