title: Endothelin-A receptor antagonist reduces microcirculatory disturbances and transplant dysfunction after partial liver transplantation.
abstract: Endothelin-1 can induce microcirculatory disorders by mediating sinusoidal vasoconstriction, lowering the perfusion rate and promoting leukocyte adhesion, all of which may play a role in the pathogenesis of the damage sustained by partial liver transplants. In this pilot study, we investigated a selective endothelin-A receptor antagonist (Darusentan; Knoll GmbH, Ludwigshafen, Germany) for its potential influence on the microcirculation in the setting of partial liver transplantation. One hundred and forty isogeneic Lewis rats were divided into four groups: 1. partial liver transplantation (30% of the initial liver volume); 2. partial liver transplantation treated with Darusentan (1 mg/kg bodyweight intravenously) immediately before reperfusion; 3. full-size liver transplantation; and 4. sham operation. Subsequently, the liver microcirculation was evaluated by intravital microscopy, and survival, liver function, and morphology were followed up to the fourteenth day. Compared with full-size transplanted animals, rats subjected to partial liver transplantation without Darusentan (group I) displayed severe microcirculatory lesions characterized by a significantly decreased perfusion rate, increased leukocyte velocity, and increased leukocyte adhesion. Disintegration of endothelium and increased recruitment of Kupffer cells were frequent morphologic findings. The Darusentan-treated group II showed improved parameters of microcirculatory function and morphology as well as improved liver function. Microcirculatory disturbances play a key role in the pathogenesis of partial liver transplant dysfunction. Treatment with selective endothelin-A receptor antagonists represent a new therapeutic approach to improve the function of partial liver transplants by reducing microcirculatory lesions and their sequelae affecting sinusoidal endothelium and hepatocytes.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Research-Department of General Surgery, Institute of Pathology, Muenster University Hospital, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Palmes
authors.forename: Tymotheus B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Budny
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Stratmann
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Herbst
authors.forename: Hans-Ullrich
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Spiegel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D065130:Endothelin A Receptor Antagonists; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010666:Phenylpropionates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D065130:Endothelin A Receptor Antagonists; D010666:Phenylpropionates; D011743:Pyrimidines; C107831:darusentan