The influence of donor age on liver regeneration and hepatic progenitor cell populations

The outcomes of patients with severe hyperbilirubinemia following living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Prolonged hyperbilirubinemia (HB) following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) can be a risk factor for early graft loss and mortality. However, some recipients who present with postoperative hyperbilirubinemia do recover and maintain a good liver function.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for hyperbilirubinemia following LDLT and to identify predictors of the outcomes in patients with post-transplant hyperbilirubinemia.

METHODS

A total of 107 consecutive adults who underwent LDLT in Nagasaki University Hospital were investigated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to postoperative peak serum bilirubin level (HB group: ≥ 30 mg/dl; non-HB group: <30 mg/dl). These two groups of patients and the prognosis of patients in the HB group were analyzed using several parameters.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients (15.9 %) presented with hyperbilirubinemia, and their overall survival was significantly worse than patients in the non-HB group (n = 90). Donor age was significantly higher in the HB group (P < 0.05). Of the 17 patients in the HB group, nine survived. The postoperative serum prothrombin level at the time when the serum bilirubin level was >30 mg/dl was significantly higher in surviving patients (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a partial liver graft from an aged donor is a significant risk factor for severe hyperbilirubinemia and a poorer outcome. However, those patients who maintain their liver synthetic function while suffering from hyperbilirubinemia may recover from hyperbilirubinemia and eventually achieve good liver function, thus resulting in a favorable survival.

Effect of preoperative chemotherapy on postoperative liver regeneration following hepatic resection as estimated by liver volume

Background

In order to analyze postoperative liver regeneration following hepatic resection after chemotherapy, we retrospectively investigated the differences in liver regeneration by comparing changes of residual liver volume in three groups: a living liver donor group and two groups of patients with colorectal liver metastases who did and did not undergo preoperative chemotherapy.

Methods

This study included 32 patients who had at least segmental anatomical hepatic resection. Residual liver volume, early postoperative liver volume, and late postoperative liver volume were calculated to study the changes over time. From the histopathological analysis of chemotherapy-induced liver disorders, the effect on liver regeneration according to the histopathology of noncancerous liver tissue was also compared between the two colorectal cancer groups using Kleiner’s score for steatohepatitis grading {Hepatology, 41(6):1313–1321, 2005} and sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) grading for sinusoidal obstructions {Ann Oncol, 15(3):460–466, 2004}.

Results

Assuming a preoperative liver volume of 100%, mean late postoperative liver volumes in the three groups (the living liver donor group and the colorectal cancer groups with or without chemotherapy) were 91.1%, 80.8%, and 81.3%, respectively, with about the same rate of liver regeneration among the three groups. Histopathological analysis revealed no correlation between either the Kleiner’s scores or the SOS grading and liver regeneration.

Conclusions

As estimated by liver volume, the level of liver regeneration was the same in normal livers, tumor-bearing livers, and post-chemotherapy tumor-bearing livers. Liver regeneration was not adversely affected by the extent to which steatosis or sinusoidal dilatation was induced in noncancerous tissue by chemotherapy in patients scheduled for surgery.

Hepatitis in the elderly: still a scourge

Liver disease presents with classic symptoms: fatigue, anorexia that progresses to nausea and vomiting, muscle and joint pain, and jaundice. Its most common cause is viral infection (hepatitis) with one of the hepatotropic hepatitis viruses. Although all types of hepatitis cause liver disease, their modes of transmission differ, and treatment may or may not be an option. In all types of hepatitis, people older than 65 years of age tend to develop more severe disease than those who are younger. Hepatitis A is rare in the United States, usually resolves completely with rest and supportive care, and there is no drug treatment. The Food and Drug Administration has approved several medications for hepatitis B, although comorbidities in the elderly may preclude their use. Hepatitis C is generally treated with interferon alpha and ribavirin in patients who can tolerate these agents. Chronic hepatitis D infection is more aggressive than chronic hepatitis B infection, leading to cirrhosis within two years in 10% to 15% of patients. Treatment with interferon for at least one year is recommended, but may not help. Hepatitis E virus infection-typically associated with large waterborne epidemics and endemic in Asia, Africa, and Mexico-is poorly understood and reported only sporadically in the United States. Consultant pharmacists can provide invaluable input concerning management of patients with hepatitis since few guidelines are available. Treatment is complex and often associated with side effects, and it is costly to treat. Complete adherence is critical. Residents, their families, and long-term care staff will need education and support in treating these patients. Pharmacist involvement is especially important as newly approved agents become available; side effects can cause clinicians and patients to abandon treatment.

Effective combination of hydrostatic pressure and aligned nanofibrous scaffolds on human bladder smooth muscle cells: implication for bladder tissue engineering

Bladder tissue engineering has been the focus of many studies due to its highly therapeutic potential. In this regard many aspects such as biochemical and biomechanical factors need to be studied extensively. Mechanical stimulations such as hydrostatic pressure and topology of the matrices are critical features which affect the normal functions of cells involved in bladder regeneration. In this study, hydrostatic pressure (10 cm H(2)O) and stretch forces were exerted on human bladder smooth muscle cells (hBSMCs) seeded on aligned nanofibrous polycaprolactone/PLLA scaffolds, and the alterations in gene and protein expressions were studied. The gene transcription patterns for collagen type I, III, IV, elastin, α-SMA, calponin and caldesmon were monitored on days 3 and 5 quantitatively. Changes in the expressions of α-SMA, desmin, collagen type I and III were quantified by Enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay. The scaffolds were characterized using scanning electron microscope, contact angle measurement and tensile testing. The positive effect of mechanical forces on the functional improvement of the engineered tissue was supported by translational down-regulation of α-SMA and VWF, up-regulation of desmin and improvement of collagen type III:I ratio. Altogether, our study reveals that proper hydrostatic pressure in combination with appropriate surface stimulation on hBSMCs causes a tissue-specific phenotype that needs to be considered in bladder tissue engineering.

Safety of living donor liver transplantation using older donors

BACKGROUND

There is limited information concerning older donors in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). In the present study, we attempted to clarify whether it is safe to use older donors in LDLT.

METHODS

A total of 129 cases were reviewed in the present study. Donors and recipients were divided into group A (donors aged ≥ 50 y, n=21) and group B (donors aged <50 y, n=108). The pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables of the two groups were statistically compared.

RESULTS

Donors' complication rates were 38.10% and 28.70% for groups A and B, respectively (P=0.719). The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-y survival rates were 90%, 80%, and 66% for group A and 86%, 83%, and 75% for group B, respectively (P=0.573). Similar Clavien III or more complication rates for recipients were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggested that LDLT using older donors had no negative influence on the outcomes of both donors and recipients.

Viral hepatitis in the elderly

As life expectancy continues to rise, elderly adults represent a rapidly growing proportion of the population. The likelihood of complications of acute and chronic liver disease and overall mortality are higher in elderly populations. Several physiological changes associated with aging, greater prevalence of co-morbid conditions, and cumulative exposure to hepatotropic viruses and environmental hepatotoxins may contribute to worse outcomes of viral hepatitis in the elderly. Although pharmacotherapy for hepatitis B and C continues to evolve, the efficacy, tolerability, and side effects of these agents have not been studied extensively in elderly adults. Immunization against hepatitis A and B in naïve elderly adults is an important public health intervention that needs to be revised and broadened.

Hemodynamic measurements in a sheep model with a hollow fiber artificial kidney containing modified cellulose

HFAK-RC caused pronounced leukopenia, increase in TXB2 levels in plasma and hemodynamic pressure changes as a reflection of complement activation during EC in sheep. In contrast no increase in TXB2 levels and no changes in hemodynamics are observed with HFAK-MC. The leukopenia and granulocytopenia in the latter is much less pronounced and probably reflects the phenomenon "frustrated phagocytosis".