Auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation for fulminant hepatitis: regeneration of the diseased native liver in a pig model.
BACKGROUND
This study was performed to develop a clinically relevant porcine model of auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) for fulminant hepatic failure.


METHODS
FHF was induced by intraportal administration of alpha-amanitin and lipopolysaccharide. Thereafter, pigs were divided into four groups. Group 1 was an untreated, control group. In group 2, pigs underwent only a left hemihepatectomy. Pigs in groups 3 and 4 received APOLT after hemihepatectomy. Tacrolimus was administered to pigs in group 4, but not to those in group 3.


RESULTS
Two-week survival rates were 0%, 20%, 40%, and 100% for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. In group 4, after abolishing the graft function at 1 week, pigs survived for more than 2 weeks, and regeneration of the native liver was confirmed histologically.


CONCLUSIONS
Pigs suffering from fulminant hepatic failure could achieve long survival and liver regeneration with a temporary support of the auxiliary graft.
Ishiguro
Shingo
S
Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki, Japan.
Takada
Yasutsugu
Y
Gu
Mei
M
Fukunaga
Kiyoshi
K
Taniguchi
Hdeki
H
Seino
Kenichiro
K
Kawamoto
Toru
T
Yuzawa
Kenji
K
Otsuka
Masaaki
M
Todoroki
Takeshi
T
Fukao
Katashi
K
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006085:Graft Survival; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000601:surgery; D008099:Liver / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000601:surgery*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D012038:Regeneration; D015996:Survival Rate; D013552:Swine