Introduction of a new method of rat liver transplantation using retrograde reperfusion

Protective Effect of Retrograde Reperfusion Against Hepatic Autophagy Impairment in Rat Liver Transplantation

The retrograde reperfusion (RTR) technique was introduced in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) to improve initial postoperative liver function, but the related mechanisms remain unexplained. We investigated the influences of different reperfusion sequences, including initial portal reperfusion (IPR) and RTR, on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and autophagic activity in a simplified rat orthotopic liver transplantation (ROLT) model.

METHODS

First, we established an ROLT model of male Sprague-Dawley rats to simulate either the IPR or RTR technique. The operative times and survival rates until postoperative day (POD) 7 were recorded. Liver enzyme levels, histologic damage, and in situ apoptosis were assessed. Second, we evaluated differences in the autophagic flux of liver grafts at 1, 2, and 6 hours after reperfusion between the IPR and RTR techniques. All experimental procedures involving animals were approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of the 900th Hospital of PLA.

RESULTS

In the first experiment, all animals survived to POD 7. In contrast to the IPR sequence, the RTR technique decreased the extent of graft I/R injury. In the second experiment, reperfusion markedly impaired the autophagic flux of ischemic liver grafts, but the RTR technique could alleviate and postpone the reduction in autophagy after I/R.

CONCLUSIONS

A feasible modified ROLT model with the cuff method was described and could flexibly simulate 2 reperfusion techniques: IPR and RTR. The use of the RTR sequence exhibited a protective effect against I/R injury and impairment of autophagy in liver grafts.