Effects of Hepatic Denervation on Inchemia-Reperfusion of the Dogs Liver

To investigate the role of the hepatic nerves in ischemia-reperfusion of the liver, we compared hepatic midro-hemodynamics in a denevervated liver model to that in the normal liver. The liver was reperfused after total hepatic ischemia for 30 minnutes. Hepatic tissue blood flow, index of oxygen saturation, and hemoglobin concentration were measered continuously from 5 minutes before clamping to 120 minutes after reperfusion. In the very early phase following reperfusion (at 1, 2, and 3 minutes), the hepatic tissue blood flow was significantly higher in the denervated group (P<0.05). At 2 minutes (P<0.01) and at 3, 5, and 15 minutes (P<0.05), the index of oxygen saturation in the denervated group was significantly higher. Rapid increaseing blood inflow after repertion was observed, possibly due to impairment of intrahepatic microcirculatory regulation caused by denervation. This suggests that the rapid blood inflow during reperfusion after ischemia may modify the reperfusion injury of the transplanted liver grafts.

Hepatic Denervation

Ischemia-Reperfusion

Liver Transplantation