Basic Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2004. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 1, 2004; 10(21): 3157-3160
Published online Nov 1, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i21.3157
Safe time to warm ischemia and posttransplant survival of liver graft from non-heart-beating donors
Xiao-Shun He, Yi Ma, Lin-Wei Wu, Wei-Qiang Ju, Jin-Lang Wu, Rui-De Hu, Gui-Hua Chen, Jie-Fu Huang
Xiao-Shun He, Yi Ma, Lin-Wei Wu, Wei-Qiang Ju, Gui-Hua Chen, Jie-Fu Huang, Organ Transplantation Center, First Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China
Jin-Lang Wu, Rui-De Hu, Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Key Clinical Projects of Minister of Health, No 97040230 and the Scientific and Technological Committee of Guangdong Province, No. 99M4902G
Correspondence to: Xiao-Shun He, Organ Transplantation Center, First Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China. xshe@gdvnet.com
Telephone: +86-20-87335101
Received: January 9, 2004
Revised: February 17, 2004
Accepted: February 24, 2004
Published online: November 1, 2004
Abstract

AIM: To explore the dynamical changes of histology, histochemistry, energy metabolism, liver microcirculation, liver function and posttransplant survival of liver graft in rats under different warm ischemia times (WIT) and predict the maximum limitation of liver graft to warm ischemia.

METHODS: According to WIT, the rats were randomized into 7 groups, with WIT of 0, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 min, respectively. The recovery changes of above-mentioned indices were observed or measured after liver transplantation. The graft survival and postoperative complications in each subgroup were analyzed.

RESULTS: Liver graft injury was reversible and gradually resumed normal structure and function after reperfusion when WIT was less than 30 min. In terms of graft survival, there was no significant difference between subgroups within 30 min WIT. When WIT was prolonged to 45 min, the recipients’ long-term survival was severely insulted, and both function and histological structure of liver graft developed irreversible damage when WIT was prolonged to 60 min.

CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that rat liver graft can be safely subjected to warm ischemia within 30 min. The levels of ATP, energy charge, activities of glycogen, enzyme-histochemistry of liver graft and its recovery potency after reperfusion may serve as the important criteria to evaluate the quality of liver graft.

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