Changes in circulating cytokine levels and lymphocyte subsets in healthy liver donors after partial hepatectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Studies of animal models have determined that liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy is mediated by a various cytokines. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of these cytokines and subsets of circulating lymphocytes in healthy humans after partial hepatectomy.


METHODS
Four individuals underwent partial hepatectomy for living-related donor liver transplantation. We also evaluated for comparison, three patients with myoma uteri who underwent hysterectomy. Blood samples were obtained before surgery and on postoperative days (PD) 1, 3, and 7. Serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor, interleukin (IL)-6, -10, and plasma levels of transforming growth factor beta were measured.


RESULTS
Increased circulating levels of hepatocyte growth factor and transforming growth factor beta were observedafter hepatectomy. The levels of IL-6 and IL-10 peaked on PD 1. Circulating white blood cell counts increased remarkably, whereas lymphocyte count decreased particularly on PD 1 and 3. CD4/CD8 and T-helper cell (Th)1/Th2 ratios were still decreased on PD 7. The percentage of natural killer cells was increased on PD 1. Partial hepatectomy in healthy humans leads not only to decreased lymphocyte counts, but also to remarkable changes in lymphocyte subsets.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that immune suppression after partial hepatectomy involves decreases in CD4(+) helper T cells, particularly Th1 cells.
Nakashima
Sayori
S
Department of Gastroenterology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
Katano
Yoshiaki
Y
Nakano
Isao
I
Hirooka
Yoshiki
Y
Ito
Akihiro
A
Ishigami
Masatoshi
M
Hayashi
Kazuhiko
K
Honda
Takashi
T
Goto
Hidemi
H