Background:

Portal vein occlusion shortly before extended hepatic resections has hepatoprotective properties, but its molecular effects have not been elucidated. We characterized the impact of regenerative preconditioning by portal vein embolization (PVE) on hepatic energy metabolism and cytokine expression.

Materials and methods:

About 90% hepatectomies were performed in normal pigs (Control) and in pigs that underwent a PVE 24 h before the surgery (n = 10/group). Blood biochemistry and coagulation, liver damage, liver function (ICG), hepatic content of adenine nucleotides, and hepatic expression of inflammatory mediators (RT-PCR and WB) were determined before the hepatectomy, 15 min, and 24 h later.

Results:

All PVE and hepatectomies were successfully accomplished. The 90% hepatectomy resulted in: Immediate reduction of ATP, leading to persistent decreases of energy load and ATP/ADP ratio up to the 24-h time-point; and pro-inflammatory expression profile of cytokines in the remnant liver. Prior performance of PVE attenuated the bioenergetic alterations and prevented many of the changes in hepatic cytokine expression.

Conclusions:

Regenerative preconditioning by PVE improved hepatic energy metabolism and modulated inflammatory mediators in the remnant liver in pigs undergoing major hepatectomies, potentially contributing to its hepatoprotective effects.

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