C-reactive protein : albumin ratio in patients with resectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The C-reactive protein : albumin ratio (CAR) has been reported as a novel prognostic marker in several cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of CAR in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). METHODS: This was a single-centre retrospective study of patients who underwent surgery for ICC in a university hospital in Japan between 1998 and 2018. CAR, Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) and modified GPS (mGPS) were calculated. Their correlation with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) was analysed with Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the optimal CAR cut-off value of 0·02. CAR above 0·02 was associated with higher carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels (20·5 versus 66·1 units/ml for CAR of 0·02 or less; P = 0·002), larger tumour size (3·2 versus 4·4 cm respectively; P = 0·031) and a higher rate of microvascular invasion (9 of 28 versus 25 of 44; P = 0·041). RFS and OS were shorter in patients with CAR above 0·02: hazard ratio (HR) 4·31 (95 per cent c.i. 2·02 to 10·63) and HR 4·80 (1·85 to 16·40) respectively. In multivariable analysis CAR above 0·02 was an independent prognostic factor of RFS (HR 3·29 (1·33 to 8·12); P < 0·001), but not OS. CONCLUSIONS: CAR was associated with prognosis in patients who had hepatic resection for ICC.

ANTECEDENTES: La relación proteína C reactiva/albumina (C-reactive protein/albumin ratio, CAR) ha sido descrita como un marcador pronóstico novedoso en varios tipos de cáncer. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar el valor pronóstico de CAR en pacientes con colangiocarcinoma intrahepático (intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, ICC). MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo y unicéntrico de pacientes sometidos a cirugía por ICC en un hospital universitario de Japón entre 1998 y 2018. Se calcularon CAR, puntuación pronóstica de Glasgow (Glasgow prognostic score, GPS), y GPS modificada (mGPS). Se analizó su correlación con la supervivencia libre de recidiva (recurrence-free survival, RFS) y con la supervivencia global (overall survival, OS) mediante modelos de riesgos proporcionales de Cox. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron un total de 72 pacientes. El valor de corte óptimo de CAR fue de 0,02. Los pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos de acuerdo a este valor de corte. La presencia de CAR > 0,02 se asoció con niveles más elevados de antígeno carbohidrato 19-9 (20,5 U/ml versus 66,1 U/ml; P = 0,002), mayor tamaño tumoral (3,2 cm versus 4,4 cm; P = 0,031) y una tasa más elevada de invasión microvascular (32,1% versus 56,8%; P = 0,041). La RFS y OS fueron más cortas en pacientes con CAR > 0,02 (cociente de riesgos instantáneos, hazard ratio, HR 4,305; i.c. del 95% 2,016-10,63 y HR 4,803; i.c. del 95% 1,846-16,40, respectivamente). En los análisis multivariables, CAR de > 0,02 fue un factor pronóstico independiente para RFS (HR 3,286; i.c. del 95% 1,330-8,118; P < 0,001), pero no para la OS. CONCLUSIÓN: CAR se asoció con el pronóstico en pacientes sometidos a resección hepática por ICC.

Right hepatic venous system variation in living donors: a three-dimensional CT analysis.

BACKGROUND: The right hepatic venous system consists of the right hepatic vein (RHV) and inferior RHVs (IRHVs). When the right posterior section is used as a graft for liver transplantation, understanding variations and relationships between the RHV and IRHVs is critical for graft venous return and hepatic vein reconstruction. This study aimed to evaluate variations in the hepatic veins and the relationships between them. METHODS: The medical records and CT images of patients who underwent hepatectomy as liver donors were assessed retrospectively. The relationship between the veins was evaluated by three-dimensional CT. RESULTS: The configuration of the posterior section was classified into one of eight types based on the RHV and IRHVs in 307 patients. Type 1a (103 of 307), type 1b (139 of 307) and type 2a (40 of 307) accounted for 91·9 per cent of the total. The diameter of the RHV extending towards the inferior vena cava had a significant inverse correlation with that of the IRHV (r2  = -0·615, P < 0·001). Type 1a, which had no IRHVs, had the RHV with the largest diameter; conversely, type 2a, which had a large IRHV, had the RHV with the smallest diameter. CONCLUSION: The hepatic venous system of the right posterior section was classified into eight types, with an inverse relationship between RHV and IRHV sizes. This information is useful for segment VII resection or when the right liver is used as a transplant graft.

ANTECEDENTES: El sistema venoso hepático derecho consiste en la vena hepática derecha (right hepatic vein, RHV) y las RHVs inferiores (IRHVs). Cuando se utiliza la sección posterior derecha hepática como injerto para el trasplante hepático, es fundamental conocer las variaciones e interrelaciones entre la RHV y las IRHVs para el retorno venoso del injerto y la reconstrucción de la vena hepática. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las variaciones en las venas hepáticas y sus interrelaciones. MÉTODOS: Se evaluaron retrospectivamente las historias clínicas y las imágenes de la tomografía computarizada de los pacientes que se sometieron a una hepatectomía como donantes vivos para trasplante hepático. La interrelación entre las venas se evaluó mediante imágenes de CT tridimensional. RESULTADOS: La configuración de la sección posterior clasificó a 307 pacientes en base a la RHV y a las IRHVs. Se clasificaron en 8 tipos, de los cuales el Tipo 1a (103/307), el Tipo 1b (139/307) y el Tipo 2a (40/307) representaron el 92% del total. El diámetro de la RHV que se extiende hacia la vena cava inferior presentó una correlación inversa significativa con la de las IRHV (r2: −0,632, P < 0,0001). El diámetro mayor de la RHV se observó en el Tipo 1a, que no presentaba IRHVs; por el contrario, el diámetro más pequeño se observó en el Tipo 2a que presentaba una IRHV grande. CONCLUSIÓN: El sistema venoso hepático de la sección posterior derecha se clasificó en 8 subtipos con una relación inversa entre los tamaños de la RHV y las IRHV. Esta información es útil cuando se practica una resección del segmento 7 o cuando se utiliza el hígado derecho como injerto para el trasplante.

Prognostic significance of inflammatory biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma following hepatic resection.

Background: Cancer-related inflammation has been correlated with cancer prognosis. This study evaluated inflammatory biomarkers, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), programmed death ligand (PD-L) 1 expression, and tumour microenvironment in relation to prognosis and clinicopathological features of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing curative hepatic resection. Methods: Patients who had liver resection for HCC in 2000-2011 were analysed. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted for overall (OS) and recurrence-free (RFS) survival. Immunohistochemical analyses of PD-L1, CD8 and CD68 expression were performed. HCC cell lines were evaluated for PD-L1 expression. A subgroup analysis was conducted to determine patient features, survival and the tumour microenvironment. Results were validated in a cohort of patients with HCC treated surgically in 2012-2016. Results: Some 281 patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCC were included. Multivariable analysis showed that low LMR was an independent prognostic factor of OS (hazard ratio (HR) 1·59, 95 per cent c.i. 1·00 to 2·41; P = 0·045) and RFS (HR 1·47, 1·05 to 2·04; P = 0·022) after resection. Low preoperative LMR values were correlated with higher α-fetoprotein values (P < 0·001), larger tumour size (P < 0·001), and high rates of poor differentiation (P = 0·035) and liver cirrhosis (P = 0·008). LMR was significantly lower in PD-L1-positive patients than in those with PD-L1 negativity (P < 0·001). Results were confirmed in the validation cohort. PD-L1 expression was upregulated in HCC cell lines treated with interferon-γ and co-cultured with THP-1 monocyte cells. Conclusion: LMR is an independent predictor of survival after hepatic resection in patients with HCC. Modulation of the immune checkpoint pathway in the tumour microenvironment is associated with a low LMR.

Rendezvous Technique Using Double Balloon Endoscope for Removal of Multiple Intrahepatic Bile Duct Stones in Hepaticojejunostomy After Living Donor Liver Transplant: A Case Report.

Cholangitis is a major complication following transplantation. We report a living donor liver transplant (LDLT) patient with cholangitis due to multiple stones in the intrahepatic bile duct during hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis, who was successfully treated with the rendezvous technique using double balloon endoscope. A 64-year-old woman underwent LDLT with right lobe graft and hepaticojejunostomy for Wilson disease. There was bile leakage with biliary peritonitis, which was treated conservatively after transplant. Two years after surgery, she developed reiterated cholangitis due to stenosis of hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis and multiple stones in the intrahepatic bile ducts. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was performed. The size of the drainage tube was increased, and the anastomotic area was dilated in a stepwise manner using a balloon catheter. The stones were crushed and lithotomy was performed using electronic hydraulic lithotripsy through cholangioscopy. Finally, lithotomy was performed for the remaining stones through endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with the rendezvous technique using the double balloon endoscope. Rendezvous approach with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and double balloon endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was an effective treatment for the multiple intrahepatic stones in hepaticojejunostomy following LDLT with right lobe graft.

Real-Time Ultrasound-Guided Thrombectomy for Extensive Portal Vein Thrombosis in Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

Thrombectomy is a routine or common practice for treating organized portal vein thrombosis (PVT) during liver transplantation. However, this procedure is often performed in a blinded fashion and can result in insufficient thrombectomy or devastating consequences such as injury to the retropancreatic portal vein where prompt repair is very difficult. To overcome these drawbacks for blind thrombectomy, we herein describe a new technique that makes complex thrombectomy safe and easy under direct ultrasound vision. This procedure is readily available and highly reproducible and can be used as the standard procedure for treating extensive PVT.

Functional Analysis of Human Hepatocytes Isolated From Chimeric Mouse Liver.

Chimeric mice with humanized liver were first established by transplanting primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) isolated from a Japanese 27-year-old donor into complementary DNA-urokinase-type plasminogen activator/severe combined immunodeficiency mice. The PHHs from the Japanese donor increased more than 100-fold in the mouse liver, and human hepatocytes purified from the chimeric mouse liver (hcPHs) were successfully transplanted into second-passaged mice. These PHHs and hcPHs can produce human albumin and preserve many liver-specific enzyme genes, which are important for liver function. Interestingly, hepatitis B virus can be infected with these chimeric mice; hepatitis B viral DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen levels were detectable. In conclusion, hcPHs can be an ideal cell source for analysis of human hepatocytes.

Successful Recombinant Thrombomodulin Treatment for Thrombotic Microangiopathy After Liver Transplantation: A Case Report.

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is a rare but severe complication after liver transplantation. In contrast to other thrombotic microangiopathies, treatment for TA-TMA has yet to be clarified. A 52-year-old male patient with liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C underwent split liver transplantation from a deceased donor. His clinical course was without complication until 4 days after transplantation, when he experienced impaired consciousness, hemolytic anemia with fragmented erythrocytes, and marked thrombocytopenia. TA-TMA was diagnosed, and recombinant thrombomodulin was administered for 4 days. The patient's clinical symptoms and laboratory data rapidly improved. He has been followed up for 6 months and has not shown any complications. The pathogenesis of TA-TMA is endothelial damage in the vasculature. Recombinant thrombomodulin, an endothelial cell-protecting agent, is a promising new therapeutic choice for TA-TMA after liver transplantation.

Fibrinolysis in Living Donor Liver Transplantation Recipients Evaluated Using Thromboelastometry: Impact on Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate hemostasis during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is mainly due to coagulopathy but may also include fibrinolysis. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of fibrinolysis and assess its relevance to mortality in LDLT. METHODS: The incidence and prognosis of fibrinolysis were retrospectively studied in 76 patients who underwent LDLT between April 2010 and February 2013. Fibrinolysis was evaluated and defined by maximum lysis (ML) >15% within a 60-minute run time using thromboelastometry (ROTEM). RESULTS: Fibrinolysis was observed in 19 of the 76 (25%) patients before the anhepatic (pre-anhepatic) phase and was developed in 24 (32%) patients during and after the anhepatic (post-anhepatic) phase. In these 43 patients who had fibrinolysis, spontaneous recovery occurred in 29 patients (73%) within 3 hours after reperfusion of the liver graft. Recovery with tranexamic acid was noted in 2 patients with fibrinolysis in the post-anhepatic phase. Thrombosis in the portal vein and liver artery was noted in 14 patients, and the incidence was significantly greater in patients with post-anhepatic fibrinolysis than in those with pre-anhepatic fibrinolysis (P = .0017). Fibrinolysis that developed in the pre-anhepatic phase was associated with increased 30-day and 6-month mortalities (P = .0003 and .0026, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Fibrinolysis existed and developed in a large percentage of patients during LDLT. Thrombosis in the portal vein and hepatic artery was more common in patients with fibrinolysis in the post-anhepatic phase. Fibrinolysis that developed in the pre-anhepatic phase was associated with increased 30-day and 6-month mortalities.

Clinical Outcomes of Living Liver Transplantation According to the Presence of Sarcopenia as Defined by Skeletal Muscle Mass, Hand Grip, and Gait Speed.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is an independent predictor of death after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). However, the ability of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria for sarcopenia (defined as reduced skeletal muscle mass plus low muscle strength) to predict surgical outcomes in patients who have undergone LDLT has not been determined. METHODS: This study prospectively enrolled 366 patients who underwent LDLT at Kyushu University Hospital. Skeletal muscle area (determined by computed tomography), hand-grip strength, and gait speed were measured in 102 patients before LDLT. We investigated the relationship between sarcopenia and surgical outcomes after LDLT performed in three time periods. RESULTS: The number of patients with lower skeletal muscle area has increased to 52.9% in recent years. The incidence of sarcopenia according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria was 23.5% (24/102). Patients with sarcopenia (defined by skeletal muscle area and functional parameters) had significantly lower skeletal muscle area and weaker hand-grip strength than did those without sarcopenia. Compared with non-sarcopenic patients, patients with sarcopenia also had significantly worse liver function, greater estimated blood loss, greater incidence of postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade IV or greater (including amount of ascites on postoperative day 14, total bilirubin on postoperative day 14, and postoperative sepsis), and longer postoperative hospital stay. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed sarcopenia as a significant predictor of 6-month mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of skeletal muscle mass and function can predict surgical outcomes in LDLT patients.

In Situ Posterior Graft Segmentectomy for Large-for-Size Syndrome in Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation in Adults: A Case Report.

Large-for-size syndrome (LFSS) is controversial in pediatric living donor liver transplantation patients and is associated with a poor graft outcome. Similar situations in deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) in adults have not been reported frequently, and there are no official guidelines worldwide. Deceased donation is extremely limited in Japan, and when a larger liver is allocated for a very sick small recipient in Japan, transplantation with a plan to address LFSS might be necessary. The patient is a 58-year-old female patient who had acute liver failure with coma. The graft-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) was 2.74%. Although the graft was enlarged by reperfusion, the intraoperative Doppler ultrasound, performed after reperfusion, showed sufficient graft in-flow and out-flow. However, when the liver graft was situated appropriately into the right phrenic space supported by the rib cage and diaphragm, the blood flow in the hepatic vein and portal vein was significantly reduced. Graft blood flow did not improve without removing it from the right subphrenic space. Therefore, we decided to perform an in situ graft posterior segmentectomy, so that the graft right lobe was properly accommodated in the patient's right subphrenic space. After the segmentectomy of the graft, an intraoperative Doppler sonogram showed significantly improved blood flow. LFSS could be a significant operative challenge in adult DDLT, especially in areas with limited chances of DDLT. In situ posterior segmentectomy in the demarcated area could be a solution for treating patients with LFSS.

Duct-to-duct Biliary Reconstruction in Living-donor Liver Transplantation for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Report of a Case.

Although Roux-en Y hepaticojejunostomy was previously recommended for the biliary reconstruction in liver transplantation for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), some recent reports showed no difference in the graft survival between Roux-en Y and duct-to-duct anastomosis in deceased-donor liver transplantation. On the other hand, considering the risk of recurrence and the short length of the bile duct of the graft, duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis has never been reported in a patient undergoing living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for PSC. A 45 year-old male underwent LDLT using a left-lobe graft donated from his brother. Cholangiography showed no lesion in his common bile duct and duct-to-duct anastomosis was chosen for him. Fifteen months later, he suffered cholangitis due to PSC recurrence and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was performed. The stents were inserted into his B2 and B3, and he remains well. Because of the ability to easily manage biliary complication, duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction may become the first choice in LDLT for PSC without common bile duct lesions.

In Situ Procurement of a Recipient's Portal Vein for a Right Lobe Liver Graft With Multiple Venous Orifices: A Case Report.

Reconstruction of multiple venous orifices of a right lobe graft is a time-consuming and troublesome procedure in right lobe living-donor liver transplantation. In the current study, we present a new venous reconstruction technique for a right lobe graft with multiple and complex hepatic vein (HV) orifices, in which procurement of the recipient's left portal vein was performed in situ to keep the anhepatic period to a minimum. All of the HV orifices were reconstructed together at the back table, while maintaining patency of the recipient's systemic and splanchnic circulation. A homologous vein graft and veno-venous bypass were not necessary. All HVs were patent during the follow-up and the patient was free from complications. In conclusion, the present technique is readily available for reconstruction of complex and multiple HV tributaries, while avoiding a long anhepatic time and the use of veno-venous bypass.

Salvage Splenic Artery Embolization for Saving Falling Living Donor Graft due to Portal Overflow: A Case Report.

Portal decompression is an approach for reducing portal overflow caused by small-for-size syndrome. We report the case of a patient who recovered from rapidly progressing hyperbilirubinemia caused by a small graft by decompressing portal overflow with splenic artery embolization following a living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The patient was a 54-year-old man with end-stage liver disease secondary to alcoholic liver cirrhosis; the donor was his 54-year-old wife. The graft volume of the left lobe was 444 mL, which was 34.8% of the standard liver volume (SLV) and insufficient for the recipient; thus, the plan was to use the right lobe for the graft. The patient underwent LDLT with a right lobe graft; the volume to SLV ratio was 39.1%, and the graft-to-recipient-weight ratio was 0.72%. Although portal pressure was low during the operation, the patient eventually developed small-for-size syndrome after LDLT. It was conceivable that because the patient had splenomegaly, portal decompression would be effective. Splenic arterial embolization was performed successfully on postoperative day (POD) 7. The patient's total bilirubin level was increased to 40 mg/dL on POD16. Decreased portal flow, which was shown by ultrasound screening to be "to-and-flo," increased again on POD23 to one-third of that on POD1. He was discharged without any infectious complications. Additional splenic artery embolization after LDLT may be a convenient option for reducing portal overflow for patients with splenomegaly if the portal decompression was not performed for some reason at the surgery.

Fatty change in moderately and poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma on MRI: a possible mechanism related to decreased arterial flow.

AIM: To clarify the frequency of fatty change in moderately and poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas (mHCCs and pHCCs) and its relationship to arterial blood flow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six surgically resected HCC lesions were studied. All patients had undergone dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with chemical-shift-encoded water-fat imaging (CSI). The presence of fat was identified by a signal drop-off on CSI and confirmed at pathology. Lesions were classified into four groups in the arterial phase; G1, hypointense; G2, isointense; G3, slightly and heterogeneously hyperintense; G4, markedly and homogeneously hyperintense. The number of cumulative arteries (CAs) in the tumours in the pathology examination were counted. RESULTS: A fat component was observed significantly more frequently in the pHCCs (13/21; 61.9%) compared to the mHCCs (32/101; 31.7%; p=0.013). The numbers of lesions in each group were as follows: (G1, G2, G3, G4) = (18, 9, 23, 4) in the HCCs with fat; (1, 6, 24, 51) in the HCCs without fat (p<0.001); (5, 5, 18, 4) in the mHCCs with fat; (0, 3, 19, 47) in the mHCCs without fat (p<0.001); (11, 0, 2, 0) in the pHCCs with fat; (0, 2, 3, 3) in the pHCCs without fat (p=0.001). The number of CAs in the fat-containing HCCs (5.5±2.9) was significantly lower than that in the HCCs without fat (10.8±5.3; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: A fat component was more commonly observed in the pHCCs than in the mHCCs. The present results showed a possible mechanism of fatty change in mHCCs and pHCCs in relation to decreased arterial blood supply.

Functional assessment of the liver with gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine penta-acetate-enhanced MRI in living-donor liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: A precise estimation of the capacity of the remnant liver following partial liver resection is important. In this study, the regional function of the liver in patients undergoing living-donor liver transplantation was evaluated by gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (EOB)-enhanced MRI, with special reference to the congested region. METHODS: EOB-MRI analysis was performed before hepatectomy in donors, and 7 days after surgery in the donor and recipient. In the hepatocyte phase, from images obtained 15 min after Primovist® injection, the signal intensity in each liver segment was measured and divided by the signal intensity of the erector spinae muscle (liver to muscle ratio, LMR) for standardization. Inter-regional differences in LMRs were analysed in donors and recipients. RESULTS: Thirty-two living donors and 31 recipients undergoing living-donor liver transplantation were enrolled. In donors, the LMRs of the remnant left lobe were almost equivalent among the liver segments. In the remnant right lobe without the middle hepatic vein, the mean(s.d.) LMR for congested segments (S5 and S8) was significantly lower than that for non-congested segments (S6 and S7): 2·60(0·52) versus 3·64(0·56) respectively (P < 0·001). After surgery, values in the non-congested region were almost identical to those in the preoperative donor liver. LMR values in the left and right lobe graft were significantly lower than those in the corresponding segment before donor surgery (P < 0·001). CONCLUSION: The function of the congested region secondary to outflow obstruction in the remnant donor liver was approximately 70 per cent of that in the non-congested region. EOB-MRI is a promising tool to assess regional liver function, with good spatial resolution.

Thymoglobulin for steroid-resistant immune-mediated graft dysfunction during simeprevir-based antiviral treatment for post-transplantation hepatitis C: case report.

INTRODUCTION: Immune-mediated graft dysfunction (IGD), a recently established disease entity with unfavourable outcome, is an antigraft immune reaction during interferon-based antiviral treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after liver transplantation (LT). We report a case having steroid-resistant acute cellular rejection (ACR) type IGD, which was successfully treated using thymoglobulin. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old woman with recurrent HCV after LT was commenced on antiviral treatment including simeprevir, pegylated-interferon (IFN) 2a, and ribavirin. A negative serum HCV-RNA was confirmed after 4 weeks. After 12 weeks of therapy, severe liver dysfunction developed, despite a constantly negative HCV-RNA. Liver biopsy revealed portal and periportal inflammatory infiltrates including numerous eosinophils, lymphocytes, and bile duct damages, indicating ACR. IFN therapy was ceased, and she was treated with steroid pulse treatment, followed by high-level immunosuppression maintenance. However, ACR was irremediable. Thereafter she was treated with thymoglobulin (75 mg/d for 5 days). Her serum alanine aminotransaminase and total bilirubin levels decreased immediately, and her liver biopsy specimen showed no activity. During these periods of the treatment, the HCV-RNA became positive and the liver enzyme elevated, but other liver function tests still remained within normal range. CONCLUSION: Thymoglobulin could be the best choice in steroid-resistant IGD during antiviral treatment for post-transplantation recurrent hepatitis C.

Impact of platelets and serotonin on liver regeneration after living donor hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Several animal models have revealed that platelet-derived serotonin initiates liver regeneration after hepatectomy. However, there are few reports regarding the effects of serotonin in the clinical setting. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of serotonin and platelets in the early phase after healthy living donor hepatectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Stored samples from 34 living donors who received left lobectomy with caudate lobectomy (LL+C) or right lobectomy (RL) were available in the study. Serum serotonin levels and platelet counts associated with liver regeneration such as whole liver volume and hepatic graft weight (GW) were retrospectively collected from the database and analyzed. RESULTS: The remnant liver volume rate of RL grafts was smaller than that of LL+C grafts (45.4% vs 64.7%; P < .001). The regeneration rate at 7 days after surgery did not differ between the 2 groups (123% vs 122%). The serotonin levels and platelet counts decreased after surgery until postoperative day 3, then increased thereafter. The platelet counts and serotonin levels of LL+C donors were significantly higher than those of RL donors. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that platelets and serotonin play a pivotal role in initiating liver regeneration in the remnant liver.