Cytokine response of electrolytic ablation in an ex vivo perfused liver model.
BACKGROUND
The inflammatory response following hepatic ablation depends on different factors including the method used, the duration and intensity of the treatment and the presence or absence of ischemia. Debate continues about the use of different modalities and whether some aspects of the response may be advantageous by releasing immunological active substances. Little data have been published concerning the cytokine response elicited by hepatic electrolytic ablation (EA). Study of an ex vivo liver model could allow for the evaluation of this response without the influence of confounding systemic factors.


METHODS
Livers explanted from 11 pigs were perfused extracorporeally with normothermic autologous blood. Four of them underwent EA after 1 h of reperfusion. Serum samples were obtained up to 6 h after the reperfusion and assayed for IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha.


RESULTS
Significant changes in the control group were observed for IL-6 after the second hour and IL-8 after the first hour compared with baseline levels (P < 0.001). In the EA group, IL-6 and IL-12 were raised after the second hour and IL-8 and IL-10 after the first hour (P < 0.001). The comparison between groups showed significant differences for IL-2, IL-4 (decreased in the EA group compared with controls), IL-10 and TNF-alpha (EA group increased compared with controls; P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The ex vivo perfused liver model demonstrated changes in levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and TNF-alpha following hepatic EA.
Gravante
Gianpiero
G
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, UK. ggravante@hotmail.com
Ong
Seok Ling
SL
Metcalfe
Matthew S
MS
Sorge
Roberto
R
Overton
John
J
Lloyd
David M
DM
Maddern
Guy J
GJ
Dennison
Ashley R
AR
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004572:Electrolysis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000601:surgery*; D023421:Models, Animal; D010477:Perfusion / Q000379:methods; D011897:Random Allocation; D012016:Reference Values; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013552:Swine
D016207:Cytokines