614 PLATELET COUNT IN CIRRHOSIS DEPENDS ON SPLEEN SIZE AND PERIPHERAL THROMBOPOIETIN, BUT NOT ON HEPATIC VENOUS PRESSURE GRADIENT

Abstract

generation beta-blocker capable of increasing NO bioavailability on splanchnic and pulmonary hemodynamics in a cirrhotic rat model developing hepato-pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats underwent bile duct ligation (BDL) to induce cirrhosis. The animals were orally treated with Nebivolol (NEBI; 10mg/kg) or vehicle (VEH) via feeding tube for seven days, starting three weeks after BDL, when cirrhosis was fully developed. 28 days after operation, heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), portal pressure (PP), and superior mesenteric artery blood flow (SMABF) were measured. Portosystemic collateral blood flow (PSCBF) and intrapulmonary shunting (IPS) were quantified by radioactive microsphere technique. Results: (Table-1): Body weight and MAP were similar in BDLVEH and BDL-NEBI rats, whereas HR was signficantly reduced by Nebivolol treatment. (p < 0.001). BDL-NEBI animals had significantly higher PP (p =0.005) and SMABF (p =0.016) than BDL-VEH animals. Nebivolol treatment did not affect IPS (p = 0.996).