Perinecrotic hypoxia contributes to ischemia/reperfusion-accelerated outgrowth of colorectal micrometastases.

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is often inevitable during hepatic surgery and may stimulate the outgrowth of colorectal micrometastases. Postischemic microcirculatory disturbances contribute to I/R damage and may induce prolonged tissue hypoxia and consequent stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of postischemic microcirculatory disturbances, hypoxia, and HIF-1alpha to I/R-accelerated tumor growth.