Large-for-size liver transplantation: a flowmetry study in pigs.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion injury is partly responsible for morbidity in pediatric liver transplantation. Large-for-size (LFS) liver transplantation has not been fully studied in the pediatric population, and the effects of reperfusion injury may be underestimated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen Landrace-Large white pigs weighing 23 kg (range, 17-38 kg) underwent orthotopic liver transplantation. They were divided into two groups according to the size of the donor body: LFS and control (CTRL). After transplantation, the abdominal cavity of the recipient was kept open and portal venous flow (PVF) was measured after 1 h. The ratio of recipient PVF (PVFr) to donor PVF was used to establish correlations with ischemia and reperfusion parameters. Liver biopsies were taken 1 h after transplantation to assess ischemia and reperfusion and to quantify the gene expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, interleukin 6, BAX, and BCL. RESULTS: Recipient weight, total ischemia time, and warm ischemia time were similar between groups. Among hemodynamic and metabolic analyses, pH, central arteriovenous PCO2 difference, and AST were statistically worse in the LFS group than in the CTRL group. The same was found with endothelial nitric oxide synthase (0.41 ± 0.18 versus 1.56 ± 0.78; P = 0.02) and interleukin 6 (4.66 ± 4.61 versus 16.21 ± 8.25; P = 0.02). In the LFS group, a significant decay in the PVFr was observed in comparison with the CTRL group (0.93 ± 0.08 and 0.52 ± 0.11, respectively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The implantation of a graft was responsible for poor hemodynamic status of the recipient 1 h after transplantation. Furthermore, the LFS group demonstrated markers of ischemia and reperfusion that were worse when compared with the CTRL group and exhibited a more significant decrease in PVF from donor to recipient.

The role of interleukin-6, endothelins, and apoptotic genes in small bowel transplantation, in a swine model of ischemia and reperfusion injury.

IRI is closely related to sepsis in ITx setting. Complete understanding of the mechanisms involved in IRI development may improve outcomes. Ortothopic ITx without immunosuppression was performed in order to characterize IRI-associated mucosal damage. Twenty pigs underwent ITx. Two groups were assigned to different CI times: G1: 90 min and, G2: 180 min. Euro-Collins was used as preservation solution. Jejunal fragments were collected at donor laparotomy, 30 min, and 3 days after reperfusion. IRI assessment involved: histopathologic analysis, quantification of MPO-positive cells through immunohistochemical studies, quantification of epithelial apoptotic cells using TUNEL staining, and quantification of IL-6, ET-1, Bak, and Bcl-XL genes expression by RT-PCR. Neutrophilic infiltration increased in a similar fashion in both groups, but lasted longer in G2. Apoptosis detected by TUNEL staining increased and anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-XL expression decreased significantly in G1, 3 days after surgery. Endothelin-1 and IL-6 genes expression increased 30 min after the procedure and returned to baseline 3 days after surgery. In conclusion, IL-6 and ET-1 are involved precociously in the development of intestinal IRI. Apoptosis was more frequently detected in G1 grafts by TUNEL-staining and by RT-PCR.

Is hematoxylin-eosin staining in rectal mucosal and submucosal biopsies still useful for the diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease?

BACKGROUND: Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining of a full-thickness rectal wall fragment is classically used for the diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease (HD). However, this technique requires large fragments for a better diagnosis. Additionally, the histochemical and immunohistochemical methods of staining small fragments of rectal mucosal and submucosal biopsies are not available in all centers. Therefore, the possibility of diagnosing HD through HE staining in these biopsies could be a valuable alternative for centers that do not have more specific techniques. The objectives of the current investigation were to evaluate the concordance of the results obtained by HE staining and the calretinin method with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in fragments of mucosa and submucosa in the diagnosis of HD. METHODS: For this study, 50 cases from our laboratory were selected. The tissue material was embedded in paraffin. Sixty levels of each fragment were utilized for HE, and the other 3 levels were used for calretinin. These slides were analyzed under the microscope, photographed and classified as either positive for HD when no ganglion cells were found with nerve trunks present or as negative when ganglion cells were found. The results from reading the slides were compared with those of AChE. RESULTS: Of the 50 cases evaluated by the HE technique, only 5 contradicted the diagnosis based on AChE, with a Kappa value of 0.800 and an accuracy of 90%. In the comparison between calretinin and AChE, 8 cases were discordant, with a Kappa value of 0.676 and an accuracy of 84%. CONCLUSIONS: The concordance of results from AChE and HE methods was satisfactory, allowing for the potential use of the HE method for fragments of mucosa and submucosa as a valid alternative in the diagnosis of HD. The immunohistochemical technique of calretinin did not show good agreement with the AChE activity in our study.