Beneficial effects of splenectomy on massive hepatectomy model in rats.

Aim: Possible spleno-hepatic relationships during hepatectomy remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of splenectomy during massive hepatectomy in rats.

Methods: Rats were divided into the following two groups: 90% hepatectomy (Hx group), hepatectomy with splenectomy (Hx+Sp group).

Usefulness of gemcitabine combined with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin (GFP) in patients for unresectable biliary carcinoma.

Background/aims: Advanced biliary carcinoma have poor prognosis and chemotherapy has been shown to have little impact. The aim of the present study is to clarify the effectiveness of GEM combined with CDDP and 5FU (GFP) therapy for unresectable biliary carcinoma.

Methodology: Fourteen patients with biliary carcinoma (4 patients; gallbladder cancer, 10 patients; biliary tract) who had no prior chemotherapy were enrolled.

Optimal administration of tacrolimus in reduced-size liver.

The optimal administration of immunosuppressants such as tacrolimus (Tac) for small-for-size (SFS) grafts, where the functional liver mass is small and must regenerate, has not been reported so far. The aim of this study is to clarify the characteristics of Tac metabolism according to liver volume. Seven-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: (1) Tac administrated and 70% Hx group (Tac 70% Hx group), (2) Tac administrated and 90% Hx group (Tac 90% Hx group), and (3) vehicle administrated and 90% Hx group (control 90% Hx group).