Steroid administration before partial hepatectomy with temporary inflow occlusion does not influence cyclin D1 and Ki-67 related liver regeneration.
OBJECTIVE
If temporary inflow occlusion is required during liver resection, the postoperative course might be complicated by ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Steroids protect against ischaemia-reperfusion injury; however, due to its anti-proliferative character concerns exist on its use on liver regeneration after resection. We investigated the effects of methylprednisolone on hepatocyte proliferation after partial hepatectomy with temporary inflow occlusion.


METHODS
Prior to surgery, one group of Wistar rats received methylprednisolone, while a second group served as non-treated controls. Ischaemia-reperfusion injury was indicated by AST, ALT, and GLDH at 6 h after surgery. Immunohistochemistry tools were used to determine the mitotic index and Ki-67 expression, while cyclin D1 expression characterized the proliferative activity on days 1, 4, 7, and 10.


RESULTS
The post-ischaemic liver enzyme release had significantly decreased in the methylprednisolone group, while expression of cyclin D1, percentage of Ki-67-positive cells, and mitotic cell index were comparable in both groups. Similar results were found for bilirubin and albumin and for weight of proliferating liver.


CONCLUSIONS
Although steroid administration significantly reduced ischaemia-reperfusion-associated tissue injury, it has no apparent effects on hepatic regeneration. Thus, steroids could be recommended if a temporary liver ischaemia is required during surgery, in order to reduce complications caused by severe ischaemia-related organ dysfunction.
Glanemann
Matthias
M
Department of General Surgery, Visceral Surgery and Transplantation Surgery, Charité, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. matthias.glanemann@charite.de
Münchow
Simone
S
Schirmeier
Anja
A
Al-Abadi
Hussein
H
Lippek
Frank
F
Langrehr
Jan M
JM
Dietel
Manfred
M
Neuhaus
Peter
P
Nussler
Andreas K
AK
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000032:analysis*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006498:Hepatectomy; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011300:Preoperative Care; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D019938:Cyclin D1; D008775:Methylprednisolone