Warm liver ischemia in experiment and lysosomal markers.

Background: The aim of the study is to perform a morphological analysis of certain lysosomal enzymes and parenchymal alterations during warm ischemia in the pig liver.

Methods: Standard hepatectomies were performed in a set of 24 pigs. Intra-operative intravenous (portal vein) Pentoxiphylline and hydroxyl radical scavenger Stobadine was administered. Tissue specimens were removed from the margo acutum in 10 minutes interval.

Result: In normal pig liver, the acid phosphatase (ACP) activity is in not numerous Kupffer cells and on the biliary pole of hepatocytes, diffusely in the whole parenchyma. One hour after the beginning of warm ischemia, there was an increase in ACP activity in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. The activity in Kupffer cells could not be detected. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is localized exclusively in the cytoplasmic matrix of liver cells, so only cytoplasmic enzymes leak into the blood plasma. LDH activity has remained low in areas around portal and central veins.

Conclusion: Morphological findings of enzyme activities showed that zone 2 and 3 of the liver lobule are essential for the organ survival and signs of diffusion of lysosomal enzymes into the cytoplasm of hepatocytes indicate one of the possible explanations for the findings after liver reperfusion. The study showed that intravenous administration of Pentoxiphylline and Stobadine protects the liver from warm ischemia injury (Tab. 2, Fig. 2, Ref. 37). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.