Gadolinium pretreatment decreases survival and impairs liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy under ischemia/reperfusion in rats.
BACKGROUND
Modulation of Kupffer cell functions by treatment with gadolinium chloride protects the liver against reperfusion injury. However, its effect on liver regeneration after hepatectomy under ischemia/reperfusion has not been studied. Using a common clinical ischemia/reperfusion technique, we examined the effect of gadolinium on liver regeneration after hepatectomy in rats.


METHODS
After an initial 15-minute ischemia and 15-minute reperfusion, 70% hepatectomy was performed during the second 15-minute ischemia period in gadolinium-pretreated (gadolinium group) and saline solution--pretreated (control group) rats. The 24-hour survival rate, relative liver weight, DNA synthesis rate, and hepatic adenosine triphosphate level were examined immediately after hepatectomy and on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 2, 3, and 7. Serum levels of total bilirubin, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and endotoxin were also measured.


RESULTS
The 24-hour survival rate was significantly lower in the gadolinium group (67%) than in the control group (100%). On POD 1, the relative liver weight and DNA synthesis rate were significantly lower in the gadolinium group than in the control group. On POD 1, serum total bilirubin and endotoxin levels were significantly higher in the gadolinium group than in the control group. Immediately after hepatectomy, the hepatic adenosine triphosphate level was significantly lower in the gadolinium group than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Under ischemia/reperfusion, gadolinium pretreatment impairs liver regeneration and energy status after hepatectomy and decreases postoperative survival.
Watanabe
M
M
Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Chijiiwa
K
K
Kameoka
N
N
Yamaguchi
K
K
Kuroki
S
S
Tanaka
M
M
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000633:toxicity*; D006498:Hepatectomy; D007511:Ischemia; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008115:Liver Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015424:Reperfusion; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D004247:DNA; D005682:Gadolinium; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D001663:Bilirubin