Differential contribution of graft and recipient to perioperative TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6 and IL‐8 levels and correlation with early graft function in clinical liver transplantation

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Cytokines, produced by both the recipient and the newly vascularized allograft, are central mediators in the inflammatory response to allografted tissue. This study examines the relationship between preand intraoperative levels of TNF, IL‐1, IL‐6, and IL‐8 and hepatic allograft function in the early postoperative period and also determines which cytokines are produced in a significant amount by the newly vascularized allograft. Baseline levels of IL‐6 and IL‐8 tended to be higher in patients with more advanced disease and showed an increase during the anhepatic period. TNF and IL‐1 remained stable from baseline to anhepatic phase. IL‐1 showed an increase from portal vein to effluent samples, suggesting that the graft has an important contribution to circulating IL‐1 levels. Analysis of the data according to early graft performance revealed extremely high levels of effluent IL‐1, IL‐6 and IL‐8, and the prolonged elevation of the latter two cytokines in patients with poor early graft function. Our findings demonstrate that sequential perioperative measurements of proinflammatory cytokines can be useful in monitoring graft function.