Efficacy of intraportal infusion of prostaglandin E1 to improve the hepatic blood flow and graft viability in porcine liver transplantation.

Abstract

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has been reported to have a protective effect in experimental and clinical models of liver damage. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of the intraportal infusion of PGE1 on hepatic blood flow and graft viability after orthotopic liver transplantation in pigs. First, the hepatic arterial flow (HAF), portal venous flow (PVF), and liver tissue blood flow (LTBF) were measured during the continuous intravenous or intraportal infusion of PGE1. Second, two groups of pigs underwent orthotopic liver transplantation: group A, untreated controls; and group B, animals that received intraportal PGE1 for 2 hr after vascular reconstruction of the allograft. Changes in HAF, PVF, LTBF, and hepatic function were measured. The intraportal infusion of PGE1 significantly increased HAF and had no effect on blood pressure, PVF, or LTBF. In group B, HAF and LTBF increased significantly with time. In group A, HAF remained unchanged and a decrease in LTBF was observed. Group B exhibited a higher arterial ketone body ratio and a greater bile flow compared with group A. A significant elevation in serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase concentration was observed in group A, but not in group B. This study demonstrates that the intraportal infusion of PGE1 improves hepatic allograft blood flow, predominantly through an effect on HAF, and may improve graft viability after orthotopic liver transplantation.