Liver transplantation in the treatment of severe iatrogenic liver injuries

The place of liver transplantation in the treatment of severe iatrogenic liver injuries has not yet been widely discussed in the literature. Bile duct injuries during cholecystectomy represent the leading cause of liver transplantation in this setting, while other indications after abdominal surgery are less common. Urgent liver transplantation for the treatment of severe iatrogenic liver injury may-represent a surgical challenge requiring technically difficult and time consuming procedures. A debate is ongoing on the need for centralization of complex surgery in tertiary referral centers. The early referral of patients with severe iatrogenic liver injuries to a tertiary center with experienced hepato-pancreatobiliary and transplant surgery has emerged as the best treatment of care. Despite widespread interest in the use of liver transplantation as a treatment option for severe iatrogenic injuries, reported experiences indicate few liver transplants are performed. This review analyzes the literature on liver transplantation after hepatic injury and discusses our own experience along with surgical advances and future prospects in this uncommon transplant setting.

Albumin-bilirubin score in non-malignant liver and other diseases

The albumin-bilirubin(ALBI)score is derived from albumin and bilirubin levels.Currently,the ALBI score is widely used in various clinical settings.A recent article in the World Journal of Gastroenterology summarized the application of the ALBI score in various non-malignant liver diseases.The ALBI score has a predictive power that is superior or non-inferior to established numerous measures.This may be related to its contiguity,sensitivity,and inclusion of albumin.While we recognize the good results of the ALBI score in a number of diseases,the ALBI score also has limitations.Variation studies for population characteristics and other factors should be performed to validate the performance of ALBI.Further modifications or optimization of ALBI scores should be taken into account.

Sepsis-associated liver injury:Mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets

In this editorial,we examined a recent article in the World Journal of Gastroenterology that focused on sepsis-associated liver injury(SLI)and its treatment.SLI is a serious complication of sepsis,primarily caused by microcirculatory disturbances,the gut-liver axis,and inflammatory responses.Specific treatment recommendations for SLI are lacking.The gut-liver axis represents a potential therapeutic target,with metformin showing promise in modulating the gut microbiome and enhancing intestinal barrier function.Although immunomodulatory therapies are being explored,anti-tumor necrosis factor agents and interleukin-1 receptor antagonists have not demonstrated significant clinical benefits.Statins may reduce liver inflammation and prevent injury in sepsis,but their clinical application is limited.Reduced D-related human leucocyte antigen expression on monocytes and lymphocytes suggests immune suppression in patients,indicating that corticosteroids could reverse clinical deterioration in severe infections and address adrenal cortical insufficiency.Current large-scale studies on glucocorticoid therapy for sepsis have yielded mixed results,likely due to inadequate assessment of the immune status of the host.Future research should prioritize the development of personalized immunotherapy tailored to patients’immune profiles,focusing on identifying novel indicators of immune status and advancing immunomodulatory targets and therapeutics for septic patients.

A study on mitochondrial respiratory dysfunction and lipid peroxidation in the liver after radiation,burn,and combined radiation-burn injuries in mice

Male mice were subjected to 6 Gy total body irradiation,20% TBSAfull-thickness burns,or combined radiation-burn injury and lipid peroxides(LPO),vita-min E,sulfhydryl group,respiratory control ratio(RCR),ADP/O ratio,and cytochromeoxidase activity of the liver mitochondria were determined in the first 9 d postinjury.Theresults are as follows:(1)LPO level increased in the early postinjury stage after combinedradiation-burn injury,on the 5th-7th day after irradiation and on the 7th day postburn.(2)Vitamin E level decreased significantly in the two groups of radiation and burn inju-ries but showed no significant decrease after combined injury.(3)The sulfhydryl groupshowed a tendency to increase in all the 3 groups.(4)The activity of cytochrome oxidaseincreased significantly on the 7th day after radiation but decreased considerably in theburn and combined injury groups.(5)RCR and ADP/O ratio decreased more significantlyin the combined injury group than in either the radiation group or the burn group.These facts suggest that the respiratory dysfunction of the liver mitochondria results mostprobably from the damage on the mitochondrial membrane due to lipid peroxidation.

COVID-19 related liver injuries in pregnancy

While severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)quickly spread across the globe,our understanding of its pathogenic mechanisms evolved.Importantly,coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is now considered a syndromic multisystem inflammatory disease involving not only the respiratory system but also the cardiovascular,excretory,nervous,musculoskeletal,and gastrointestinal systems.Moreover,a membrane-bound form of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2,the entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2,is expressed on the surface of cholangiocytes and hepatocytes,suggesting the potential of COVID-19 to involve the liver.With the widespread distribution of SARS-CoV-2 throughout the population,infection during pregnancy is no longer a rare occurrence;however,little is known about the course of hepatic injuries and related outcomes in pregnant SARS-CoV-2-positive women.Thus,the understudied topic of COVID-related liver disease during pregnancy poses a great challenge for the consulting gynecologist and hepatologist.In this review,we aim to describe and summarize potential liver injuries in pregnant women with COVID-19.

Effect of Avocado （Persea Americana）, Cabbage （Brassica Oleracea） and Ginger （Zingiber Officinale） on Rat Liver and Thyroid Injuries Induced by CCI4 （Carbon Tetrachloride）

Avocado, Cabbage, and Ginger are a part of a regular human diet and have antioxidant, and antitumor effects. The effect of AVOE （avocado）, GE （Ginger） and CE （Cabbage） extracts separately on liver NO （nitric oxide）, MDA （malondialdehyde）, as well as serum AST （aspartate aminotransferase）, ALT （alanine aminotransferase）, total bilirubin, TC （total cholesterol）, T.G （triglyceride）, HDL cholesterol （high-density lipoprotein）, LDL cholesterol （low-density lipoprotein）, TSH （thyroid-stimulating hormone）, T3 （Triiodothyronine）, T4 （Thyroxine） in rats treated and untreated with CC14 （carbon tetrachloride） was studied. The levels of NO, MDA, as well as serum AST, ALT, total bilirubin, TC, T.G, LDL, and TSH, showed an elevation while, HDL, T3 and T4 showed the decline in rats treated with CC14 as compared to control. Treatment of rats with AVOE and GE pre, during, and post CC14 administration improve NO, MDA, as well as serum AST, ALT, total bilirubin, TC, T.G, HDL, LDL, TSH, T3, T4 as compared to CC14. Treatment of rats with CE pre, during, and post CC14 administration did not improve in the thyroid hormones and lipid profile levels as compared to CC14. These findings suggest that avocado and ginger treatment exerts a protective effect on metabolic disorders by decreasing oxidative stress.

Therapeutic plasma exchange and a double plasma molecular absorption system in the treatment of thyroid storm with severe liver injury: A case report

BACKGROUND Thyroid storm is resistant to conventional treatments including antithyroid drugs and 131I therapeutic means.Plasma exchange(PE)and double plasma molecular absorption system(DPMAS)can be used as an effective treatment for thyroid storm with severe liver injury.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old woman presented with a 10-day history of nausea and vomiting accompanied by yellowing of the skin and mucosa.Further,her free T3(FT3)and FT4 levels were significantly elevated,whereas her thyrotropin level was reduced.After admission,her condition continued to deteriorate,and she presented with continued high fever,vomiting,palpitation,and shortness of breath.After being diagnosed with thyroid storm,the patient was immediately treated with PE combined with DPMAS.Her symptoms improved immediately.After three PE+DPMAS treatments,and she was discharged from the hospital.She was treated with methylprednisolone and methylthimidazole.After six months,the patient spontaneously discontinued methylthimidazole treatment.Her previous clinical manifestations and liver dysfunction reoccurred.The patient was treated with PE+DPMAS two times,and her condition rapidly improved.Liver histopathology indicated immunological liver injury.CONCLUSION Our experience suggests that PE combined with DPMAS can effectively relieve the development of thyroid storm.

Mechanisms of autophagy activation in endothelial cell and their targeting during normothermic machine liver perfusion

Ischaemia-reperfusion injury(IRI) is the leading cause of injury seen in the liver following transplantation. IRI also causes injury following liver surgery and haemodynamic shock. The first cells within the liver to be injured by IRI are the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells(LSEC). Recent evidence suggests that LSEC coordinate and regulates the livers response to a variety of injuries. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the cyto-protective cellular process of autophagy is a key regulator of IRI. In particular LSEC autophagy may be an essential gatekeeper to the development of IRI. The recent availability of liver perfusion devices has allowed for the therapeutic targeting of autophagy to reduce IRI. In particular normothermic machine liver perfusion(NMP-L) allow the delivery of pharmacological agents to donor livers whilst maintaining physiological temperature and hepatic flow rates. In this review we summarise the current understanding of endothelial autophagy and how this may be manipulated during NMP-L to reduce liver IRI.

Human liver chimeric mouse model based on diphtheria toxin-induced liver injury

AIM To establish an inducible liver injury mouse model and transplant human hepatocytes to obtain liverhumanized mice.METHODS We crossed three mouse strains,including albumin(Alb)-cre transgenic mice,inducible diphtheria toxin receptor(DTR) transgenic mice and severe combined immune deficient(SCID)-beige mice,to create Alb-cre/DTR/SCID-beige(ADSB) mice,which coincidentally harbor Alb-cre and DTR transgenes and are immunodeficient. As the Cre expression is driven by the liver-specific promoter Alb(encoding ALB),the DTR stop signal flanked by two lox P sites can be deleted in the ADSB mice,resulting in DTR expression in the liver. ADSB mice aged 8-10 wk were injected intraperitoneally(i.p.) with diphtheria toxin(DT) and liver damage was assessed by serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT) level. Two days later,mouse livers were sampled for histological analysis,and human hepatocytes were transplanted into the livers on the same day. A human ALB enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed 7,14,21 and 28 d after transplantation. Human CD68 immunohistochemistry was performed 30 and 90 d after transplantation.RESULTS We crossed Alb-cre with DTR and SCID-beige mice to obtain ADSB mice. These mice were found to have liver damage 4 d after i.p. injection of 2.5 ng/g bodyweight DT. Bodyweight began to decrease on day 2,increased on day 7,and was lowest on day 4(range,10.5%-13.4%). Serum ALT activity began to increase on day 2 and reached a peak value of 289.7 ± 16.2 IU/m L on day 4,then returned to background values on day 7. After transplantation of human liver cells,peripheral blood human ALB level was 1580 ± 454.8 ng/m L(range,750.2-3064.9 ng/m L) after 28 d and Kupffer cells were present in the liver at 30 d in ADSB mice.CONCLUSION Human hepatocytes were successfully repopulated in the livers of ADSB mice. The inducible mouse model of humanized liver in ADSB mice may have functional applications,such as hepatocyte transplantation,hepatic regeneration and drug metabolism.

CO liberated from CORM-2 modulates the inflammatory response in the liver of thermally injured mice

AIM： To explore the effects of CO-releasing molecules [tricarbonyldichlororuthenium （Ⅱ） dimer, CORM-2]- liberated CO on attenuation of inflammatory responses in liver of an experimental animal model of thermal injury and to investigate the associated potential mechanisms. METHODS： Thirty-six mice were assigned to three groups in three respective experiments. In each experiment, mice in sham group （n = 4） received sham thermal injury, whereas mice in burn group （n = 4） received a 15% of total body surface area （TBSA） fullthickness thermal injury, and mice in burn ＋ CORM-2 group （n = 4） received the same thermal injury with immediate administration of CORM-2 （8 mg/kg, iv）. Hepatic tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined under a light microscope. Levels of aminotransferases （ALT and AST） and nitric oxide （NO） were measured by biochemical methods. Tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin （IL-1β） activity, and the protein expression of iNOS and HO-1 in serum and tissue homogenates were assessed. In in vitro experiments, Kupffer cells were stimulated with LPS （10 μg/mL） for 4 h in the presence or absence of CORM-2 （10-100 μmol/L）. Subsequently, the expression levels of TNF-α and NO production were assessed. RESULTS： Pro-inflammatory mediators （TNF-α, IL- 1β, NO） in serum and liver homogenates of thermally injured mice were significantly reduced by CORM-2 administration. This was accompanied by a decrease in the expression of iNOS while an increase in the expression of HO-1 in the liver tissue. In parallel, the concentrations of TNF-α and NO in supernatants of LPS-stimulated Kupffer cells co-incubated with CORM-2 （10-100 μmol/L） were also markedly decreased.Histological examination demonstrated that CORM-2 could attenuate the leukocytes infiltration to the liver tissue. CONCLUSION： CORM-released CO modulates liver inflammation and significantly protects liver injury in burn mice by inhibiting the expression of iNOS and NO production, down-regulating the expression of proinflammatory mediators （TNF-α, IL-1β）.

Hepatic histopathology and postoperative outcome after preoperative chemotherapy for Chinese patients with colorectal liver metastases

AIM: To assess the effects of preoperative treatment on the hepatic histology of non-tumoral liver and the postoperative outcome. METHODS: One hundred and six patients underwent hepatic resection for colorectal metastases between 1999 and 2009. The surgical specimens were reviewed with established criteria for diagnosis and grading of pathological hepatic injury. The impact of preoperative therapy on liver injury and postoperative outcome was analyzed.alone, whereas 42 patients (39.6%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 11 (10.4%) patients received preoperative hepatic artery infusion (HAI). Chemotherapy included oxaliplatin-based regimens (31.1%) and irinotecan-based regimens (8.5%). On histopathological analysis, 16 patients (15.1%) had steatosis, 31 (29.2%) had sinusoidal dilation and 20 patients (18.9%) had steatohepatitis. Preoperative oxaliplatin was associated with sinusoidal dilation compared with surgery alone (42.4% vs 20.8%, P = 0.03); however, the perioperative complication rate was not significantly different between the oxaliplatin group and surgery group (27.3% vs 13.2%, P = 0.1). HAI was associated with more steatosis, sinusoidal dilation and steatohepatitis than the surgery group, with higher perioperative morbidity (36.4% vs 13.2%, P = 0.06) and mortality (9.1% vs 0% P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Preoperative oxaliplatin was associated with sinusoidal dilation compared with surgery alone. However, the preoperative oxaliplatin had no significant impact on perioperative outcomes. HAI can cause pathological changes and tends to increase perioperative morbidity and mortality.

Heat shock protein 72 normothermic ischemia,and the impact of congested portal blood reperfusion on rat liver

INTRODUCTIONFrom the technical aspect of liver surgery ,control of bleeding during hepatic parenchymal resection is one of the most important procedures in hepatectomy .Pringle,s maneuver ,a temporary cross-clamping of the hepatoduodnal ligament ,has often been used for this purpose[1],This is the simplest and userul technique to reduce intraoperative blood loss .

Hypothermic machine perfusion with metformin-University of Wisconsin solution for ex vivo preservation of standard and marginal liver grafts in a rat model

AIM To compare the effect of University of Wisconsin(UW) solution with or without metformin, an AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK) activator, for preserving standard and marginal liver grafts of young and aged rats ex vivo by hypothermic machine perfusion(HMP).METHODS Eighteen young(4 mo old) and 18 aged(17 mo old)healthy male SD rats were selected and randomly divided into three groups: control group, UW solution perfusion group(UWP), and UW solution with metformin perfusion group(MUWP). Aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), interleukin-18(IL-18), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) in the perfused liquid were tested. The expression levels of AMPK and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(e NOS) in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells were also examined.Additionally, microscopic evaluation of the harvested perfused liver tissue samples was done. RESULTS AST, ALT, LDH, IL-18 and TNF-α levels in the young and aged liver-perfused liquid were, respectively,significantly lower in the MUWP group than in the UWP group(P < 0.05), but no significant differences were found between the young and aged MUWP groups.Metformin increased the expression of AMPK and e NOS protein levels, and promoted the extracellular release of nitric oxide through activation of the AMPK-e NOS mediated pathway. Histological examination revealed that in the MUWP group, the extent of liver cells and tissue damage was significantly reduced compared with the UWP group.CONCLUSION The addition of metformin to the UW preservative solution for ex vivo HMP can reduce rat liver injury during cold ischemia, with significant protective effects on livers, especially of aged rats.

Cumulative positive fluid balance is a risk factor for acute kidney injury and requirement for renal replacement therapy after liver transplantation

AIM To analyze whether fluid overload is an independent risk factor of adverse outcomes after liver transplantation(LT).METHODS One hundred and twenty-one patients submitted to LT were retrospectively evaluated.Data regarding perioperative and postoperative variables previously associated with adverse outcomes after LT were reviewed.Cumulative fluid balance(FB) in the first 12 h and 4 d after surgery were compared with major adverse outcomes after LT.RESULTS Most of the patients were submitted to a liberal approach of fluid administration with a mean cumulative FBover 5 L and 10 L,respectively,in the first 12 h and 4 d after LT.Cumulative FB in 4 d was independently associated with occurrence of both AKI and requirement for renal replacement therapy(RRT)(OR = 2.3;95%CI:1.37-3.86,P = 0.02 and OR = 2.89;95%CI:1.52-5.49,P = 0.001 respectively).Other variables on multivariate analysis associated with AKI and RRT were,respectively,male sex and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Disease Classification System(APACHE II) levels and sepsis or septic shock.Mortality was shown to be independently related to AST and APACHE II levels(OR = 2.35;95%CI:1.1-5.05,P = 0.02 and 2.63;95%CI:1.0-6.87,P = 0.04 respectively),probably reflecting the degree of graft dysfunction and severity of early postoperative course of LT.No effect of FB on mortality after LT was disclosed.CONCLUSION Cumulative positive FB over 4 d after LT is independently associated with the development of AKI and the requirement of RRT.Survival was not independently related to FB,but to surrogate markers of graft dysfunction and severity of postoperative course of LT.

Mild hypothermia protects liver against ischemia and reperfusion injury

AIM: To determine whether mild hypothermia could protect liver against ischemia and reperfusion injury in pigs. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy pigs were randomly divided into normothermia, mild hypothermia and normal control groups. The experimental procedure consisted of temporary interruption of blood flow to total hepatic lobe for different lengths of time and subsequent reperfusion. Hepatic tissue oxygen pressure (PtiO2) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values were evaluated, and ultrastructural analysis was carried out for all samples. RESULTS: Serum AST was significantly lower, and hepatic PtiO2 values were significantly higher in the mild hypothermia group than in the normothermia group during liver ischemia-reperfusion periods (P= 0.032, P= 0.028). Meanwhile, the histopathologic injury of liver induced by ischemia-reperfusion was significantly improved in the mild hypothermia group, compared with that in the normothermia group. CONCLUSION: Mild hypothermia can protect the liver from ischemia-reperfusion injury in pigs.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases:A contemporary review of the literature

Colorectal carcinoma(CRC)is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide,and up to 50%of patients with CRC develop colorectal liver metastases(CRLM).For these patients,surgical resection remains the only opportunity for cure and long-term survival.Over the past few decades,outcomes of patients with metastatic CRC have improved significantly due to advances in systemic therapy,as well as improvements in operative technique and perioperative care.Chemotherapy in the modern era of oxaliplatin-and irinotecancontaining regimens has been augmented by the introduction of targeted biologics and immunotherapeutic agents.The increasing efficacy of contemporary systemic therapies has led to an expansion in the proportion of patients eligible for curative-intent surgery.Consequently,the use of neoadjuvant strategies is becoming progressively more established.For patients with CRLM,the primary advantage of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NCT)is the potential to down-stage metastatic disease in order to facilitate hepatic resection.On the other hand,the routine use of NCT for patients with resectable metastases remains controversial,especially given the potential risk of inducing chemotherapy-associated liver injury prior to hepatectomy.Current guidelines recommend upfront surgery in patients with initially resectable disease and low operative risk,reserving NCT for patients with borderline resectable or unresectable disease and high operative risk.Patients undergoing NCT require close monitoring for tumor response and conversion of CRLM to resectability.In light of the growing number of treatment options available to patients with metastatic CRC,it is generally agreed that these patients are best served at tertiary centers with an expert multidisciplinary team.

Steatotic livers are susceptible to normothermic ischemiareperfusion injury from mitochondrial Complex-Ⅰ?dysfunction

AIM: To assess the effects of ischemic preconditioning(IPC, 10-min ischemia/10-min reperfusion) on steatotic liver mitochondrial function after normothermic ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI).METHODS: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed8-wk with either control chow or high-fat/high-sucrose diet inducing > 60% mixed steatosis. Three groups(n = 10/group) for each dietary state were tested:(1) the IRI group underwent 60 min partial hepatic ischemia and 4 h reperfusion;(2) the IPC group underwent IPC prior to same standard IRI; and(3) sham underwent t h e s a m e s u r g e r y w i t h o u t I R I o r I P C. H e p a t i c mitochondrial function was analyzed by oxygraphs. Mitochondrial Complex-Ⅰ, Complex-Ⅱ enzyme activity, serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT), and histological injury were measured.RESULTS: Steatotic-IRI livers had a greater increase in ALT(2476 ± 166 vs 1457 ± 103 IU/L, P < 0.01) and histological injury following IRI compared to the lean liver group. Steatotic-IRI demonstrated lower Complex-Ⅰ?activity at baseline [78.4 ± 2.5 vs 116.4 ± 6.0 nmol/(min.mg protein), P < 0.001] and following IRI [28.0 ± 6.2 vs 104.3 ± 12.6 nmol/(min.mg protein), P < 0.001]. Steatotic-IRI also demonstrated impaired Complex-Ⅰ?function post-IRI compared to the lean liver IRI group. Complex-Ⅱ activity was unaffected by hepatic steatosis or IRI. Lean liver mitochondrial function was unchanged following IRI. IPC normalized ALT and histological injury in steatotic livers but had no effect on overall steatotic liver mitochondrial function or individual mitochondrial complex enzyme activities. CONCLUSION: Warm IRI impairs steatotic liver Complex-Ⅰ?activity and function. The protective effects of IPC in steatotic livers may not be mediated through mitochondria.

MicroRNAs and long non-coding RNAs in liver surgery:Diagnostic and therapeutic merits

Background:Hepatectomy and liver transplantation(LT)are the two most commonly performed surgical procedures for various hepatic lesions.micro RNA(mi RNA)and long non-coding RNA(lnc RNA)have been gradually unveiled their roles as either biomarkers for early diagnosis or potentially therapeutic tools to manipulate gene expression in many disease entities.This review aimed to discuss the effects of mi RNA or lnc RNA in the hepatectomy and LT fields.Data sources:We did a literature search from 1990 through January 2018 to summarize the currently available evidence with respect to the effects of mi RNA and lnc RNA in liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy,as well as their involvement in several key issues related to LT,including ischemia-reperfusion injury,allograft rejection,tolerance,recurrence of original hepatic malignancies,etc.Results:Certain mi RNAs and lnc RNAs are actively involved in the regulation of various aspects of liver resection and transplantation.During the process of liver regeneration after hepatectomy,the expression of mi RNAs and lnc RNAs shows dynamic changes.Conclusions:It is now clear that mi RNAs and lnc RNAs orchestrate in various aspects of the pathophysiological process of LT and hepatectomy.Better understanding of the underlying mechanism and future clinical trials may strengthen their positions as either biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets in the management of complications after liver surgery.

Interferon-γpriming enhances the therapeutic effects of menstrual blood-derived stromal cells in a mouse liver ischemia-reperfusion model

BACKGROUND Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)have been used in liver transplantation and have certain effects in alleviating liver ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI)and regulating immune rejection.However,some studies have indicated that the effects of MSCs are not very significant.Therefore,approaches that enable MSCs to exert significant and stable therapeutic effects are worth further study.AIM To enhance the therapeutic potential of human menstrual blood-derived stromal cells(MenSCs)in the mouse liver ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)model via interferon-γ(IFN-γ)priming.METHODS Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry to evaluate the safety of IFN-γpriming,and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase(IDO)levels were measured by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction,western blotting,and ELISA to evaluate the efficacy of IFN-γpriming.In vivo,the liver I/R model was established in male C57/BL mice,hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining was performed and serum liver enzyme levels were measured to assess the degree of liver injury,and regulatory T cell(Treg)numbers in spleens were determined by flow cytometry to assess immune tolerance potential.Metabolomics analysis was conducted to elucidate the potential mechanism underlying the regulatory effects of primed MenSCs.In vitro,we established a hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)model and analyzed apoptosis by flow cytometry to investigate the mechanism through which primed MenSCs inhibit apoptosis.Transmission electron microscopy,western blotting,and immunofluorescence were used to analyze autophagy levels.RESULTS IFN-γ-primed MenSCs secreted higher levels of IDO,attenuated liver injury,and increased Treg numbers in the mouse spleens to greater degrees than untreated MenSCs.Metabolomics and autophagy analyses proved that primed MenSCs more strongly induced autophagy in the mouse livers.In the H/R model,autophagy inhibitors increased the level of H/R-induced apoptosis,indicating that autophagy exerted protective effects.In addition,primed MenSCs decreased the level of H/R-induced apoptosis via IDO and autophagy.Further rescue experiments proved that IDO enhanced the protective autophagy by inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway and activating the AMPK pathway.CONCLUSION IFN-γ-primed MenSCs exerted better therapeutic effects in the liver I/R model by secreting higher IDO levels.MenSCs and IDO activated the AMPK-mTOR-autophagy axis to reduce IRI,and IDO increased Treg numbers in the spleen and enhanced the MenSC-mediated induction of immune tolerance.Our study suggests that IFN-γ-primed MenSCs may be a novel and superior MSC product for liver transplantation in the future.

Post reperfusion syndrome during liver transplantation:From pathophysiology to therapy and preventive strategies

This review aims at evaluating the existing evidence regarding post reperfusion syndrome, providing a description of the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved and possible management and preventive strategies. A Pub Med search was conducted using the Me SH database, "Reperfusion" AND "liver transplantation" were the combined Me SH headings; EMBASE and the Cochrane library were also searched using the same terms. 52 relevant studies and one ongoing trial were found. The concept of post reperfusion syndrome has evolved through years to a multisystemic disorder. The implications of the main organ, recipient and procedure related factors in the genesis of this complex syndrome are discussed in the text as the novel pharmacologic and technical approaches to reduce its incidence. However the available evidence about risk factors, physiopathology and preventive measures is still confusing, the presence of two main definitions and the numerosity of possible confounding factors greatly complicates the interpretation of the studies.