Abstract:
In orthotopic liver transplantation, a functioning micro- and macrocirculation in the early phase of reperfusion is of great importance. Endothelin Converting enzyme (ECE) converts Big Endothelin (Big ET) to Endothelin (ET) which is at present the strongest known vasoconstrictor. On the other hand, NO (nitrogen monoxide) leads to a strong vasodilatation. A goal of the study was the investigation of above parameters in the setting of an orthotopic liver transplantation.
We performed 33 orthotopic pig liver transplantations (German land race). Different reperfusion strategies (application of Hydroxyethylstaerke (HAES), Hyperhydroxyethylstaerke (HHES) or Diaspirin Crosslinked Hemoglobin (DCLHb) 5min before reperfusion) were performed to determine the plasma levels of Big ET, ET and NO before, during and 5min after reperfusion, thereafter every 15min during 1h, then for further 5h once per hour. We correlated these results with vital parameters, glutamat oxalacetat-transaminase (GOT), glutamat pyruvat transaminase (GPT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (g-GT) and glutamat dehydrogenase (GLDH).
In the control and the HHES-group a systemically low Big ET concentration was measured. The ET concentration was increased in all three groups after reperfusion (3,8-5,2fmol/l). The median of the Big ET/ET/NO values 5min after reperfusion was used to generate two groups. High ET levels correlated at the time R1 with a higher cardiac output (4,5vs3,6l/min), a higher central vein pressure (9vs8mmHg), higher wedge pressures (10,8vs8,9mmHg) as well as a lower heart rate (98vs89min-1) as did low ET levels. There was no correlation found for Big ET.
Low Big ET and ET levels showed a higher activity of the GOT (290vs150U/l), GPT (18vs11,8U/l) and the g-GT(16vs12U/l) as did high levels. The NO plasma concentration decreased continuously after reperfusion (38-84uM). The enzyme activity of the GOT (260vs140U/l), GPT (19vs9U/l), g-GT (17vs11U/l) and the GLDH (29vs10U/l) is increased at high NO concentrations.
These results support a local, fast and effective conversion of Big ET to ET, which is limited by a saturation of the ECE. The better hemodynamic state of the animals with high Big ET and ET levels explains the low reperfusion injury. On the other hand, high NO values reflect a bad hemodynamic situation with a higher liver damage.