[Liver transplantation and peri-operative changes to renal function]. / Transplantace jater a perioperacní zmeny renálních funkcí.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: Was to analyze in detail perioperative changes of renal function during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and to identify risk factors, that were associated with the need of renal replacement therapy (RRT) during the first week after liver transplantation. METHODS: Prospective study of 50 consecutive patients undergoing OLT was performed. Selected laboratory and clinical parameters were monitored prior to the procedure, after reperfusion, at the end of the procedure, and at 12 hours after the procedure. In the first post-transplant week, necessity to use RRT in the presence of acute kidney injury was monitored and the analysis of risk factors for the need for RRT was performed. Patient survival, graft function, need for dialysis and selected laboratory parameters were assessed at one year post-transplant. RESULTS: During OLT, there was an increase in S(cr) and S(urea), which persisted as late as 12 hours post-transplant. There was a decrease in U(cr) and U(urea) and an increase in S(Na) and S(K). During the procedure any increase in S(cyst) were observed, increase the values were recorded 12 hours after surgery. S(bili) level decreased. There was a rise in the urinary levels of total protein, albumin and beta2-microglobulin. U(prot)/U(cr) increased significantly after reperfusion, with a peak after the procedure. At 12 hours after the procedure, there was a decrease in U(prot)/U(cr), but the values were still many times higher than those seen preoperatively. RRTwas necessary in 14% cases. Risk factors for acute kidney injury requiring RRT included a higher APACHE score, higher BMI, higher preoperative S(cr) and S(urea), hepatorenal syndrome pretransplant, blood loss and intraoperative hemodynamic instability, postoperative complications and dysfunction of the liver graft. One year after OLT, there was no difference in followed laboratory values between patients requiring postoperative RRT and others; no patient was treated with dialysis. CONCLUSION: OLT has a major impact on glomerular and tubular renal functions. Our data suggest that patients surviving acute renal injury treated with RRT in the early postoperative period have a high chance of restoring renal function. A sensitive marker of renal injury during OLT seems to be perioperative proteinuria.

Changes in small intestine permeability after radiotherapy of malignant tumor.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Radiotherapy of the malignancy in the small pelvis causes different adverse events in normal tissues. The small intestine is the most sensitive organ in this region. Its wall performs the barrier function between internal and external environments. The damage to the intestinal barrier brings increase in the intestinal permeability. The aim of this study was to find out dependency of intestinal permeability disorder on certain factors such as age, radiation dose, target volume, dose per fraction, added chemotherapy etc. METHODOLOGY: We evaluated the intestinal permeability by the LAMA (lactulose-mannitol) test in a group of 31 patients with a diagnosis of malignant gynecological tumor (24), rectal cancer (6) and prostate cancer (1) who underwent radiotherapy of the small pelvis with doses of at lest 45.0Gy. Fourteen patients underwent adjuvant radiotherapy, and 17 patients underwent a primary radical radiotherapy. In the latter group there was a tumor at the time of radiotherapy. The measurement was performed 3x (before starting radiotherapy, after its completion, and 6 months after completion). Complications after radiotherapy were assessed according to RTOG classification. LAMA test resultswere statistically worked out. RESULTS: Early complications G1, G2 were observed in 22 patients, late complications G1 in 3 patients. No dependency has been proved between grade of complications and intestine permeability changes. No evidence has been found in dependency on the patients' age, target volume, added chemotherapy, size of fraction, energy of radiation or other factors either. Connection of intestine permeability changes and total dose was on the margin of statistical significance; the only statistically significant relation was between intestinal permeability change and presence of tumor in the organism which was very surprising and cannot yet be explained. CONCLUSIONS: More patients should be involved in the study and late postirradiation changes should be assessed at a longer time interval.