Effect of prostaglandin E1 on arterial ketone body ratio in hepatectomy.

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) administration during hepatectomy on arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR), which is an indicator of liver function, and on other liver functions in the postoperative period. Eighteen patients were divided into two groups Continuous intravenous administration of PGE1 (0.02 µg·kg-1·h-1) was started immediately before hepatic resection and ceased at the end of operation in nine patients (PGE1 group); the other nine did not receive PGE1 (control group). After hepatic resection, a significant increase in AKBR was observed in the PGE1 group. However, no change was observed in the control group. In the PGE1 group, total bilirubin and SGOT recovered more rapidly to the preoperative level than in the control group. These findings suggested that PGE1 might have a protective effect on the liver.