Influence of cold ischemia on liver regeneration following partial liver transplantation in rats

Objective To evaluate the effect of cold ischemia on the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) and hepatic regeneration in liver grafts.Methods Partial liver transplantation model in rats was developed. The rats were divided into 3 groups: control group receiving 50 % liver resection,experimental group 1 receiving partial liver transplantation 30 min after cold ischemia and experimental group 2 receiving partial liver transplantation 10 hr after cold ischemia. The expression of the proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA),TNF-α and IL-10 in liver tissues obtained on the postoperative day 1,2 and 4 in rats was detected by using immunohistochemical method. Correlation analysis was performed on the liver proliferation and regeneration,and the expression of TNF-α and IL-10.Results The survival rate in control group,experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 was 100 % , 79 % and 29 % respectively. In the experimental group 2,the expression of PCNA,TNF-α was significantly decreased,while the expression of IL-10 increased as compared with that in experimental group 1 (both P 0.05 ).Conclusions Prolongation of cold ischemia time can reduce the regenerative ability of the liver and survival rate after partial liver transplantation. TNF-α and IL-10 play an important regulatory role in liver regeneration of liver grafts.