title: Administration of prostaglandin E1 reduces post-operative hepatocellular damage and restores hepatic integrity in patients undergoing hepatectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The direct protective effects of prostaglandin E1 against hepatic dysfunction are unclear in recent studies. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether post-operative administration of prostaglandin E1 reduces serum concentrations of alpha-glutathione S-transferase, a new indicator of hepatocellular injury, in patients undergoing hepatectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were 15 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or hilar cholangiocarcinoma undergoing hepatectomy. Prostaglandin E1 was administered to 10 patients (PGE1 group) and was not administered to 5 patients (control group). Prostaglandin E1 was administered for 24 hours from noon on post-operative day 1 to noon on post-operative day 2. Serum concentrations of alpha-glutathione S-transferase, reduced glutathione, cyclic adenosine monophosphate, and total bilirubin, and the concentration of reduced glutathione in bile were measured post-operatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum concentration of alpha-glutathione S-transferase was significantly lower and the serum bilirubin concentration was lower in the PGE1 group than in the control group. The serum concentrations of reduced glutathione and cyclic adenosine monophosphate were significantly higher in the PGE1 group than in the control group. Reduced glutathione in bile was higher in the PGE1 group than in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present results show that administration of prostaglandin E1 reduces hepatocellular injury and restores hepatic integrity, post-operatively, in patients undergoing hepatectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakano
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kumada
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagasaki
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kigawa
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaneda
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hatakeyama
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kitamura
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sanada
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Midorikawa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery*; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000097:blood*; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D000527:Alprostadil; D005978:Glutathione