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Chouhan MD, Fitzke HE, Bainbridge A, Atkinson D, Halligan S, Davies N, Lythgoe MF, Mookerjee RP, Menys A, Taylor SA. Cardiac-induced liver deformation as a measure of liver stiffness using dynamic imaging without magnetization tagging-preclinical proof-of-concept, clinical translation, reproducibility and feasibility in patients with cirrhosis. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2021; 46:4660-4670. [PMID: 34148103 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-021-03168-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE MR elastography and magnetization-tagging use liver stiffness (LS) measurements to diagnose fibrosis but require physical drivers, specialist sequences and post-processing. Here we evaluate non-rigid registration of dynamic two-dimensional cine MRI images to measure cardiac-induced liver deformation (LD) as a measure of LS by (i) assessing preclinical proof-of-concept, (ii) clinical reproducibility and inter-reader variability, (iii) the effects of hepatic hemodynamic changes and (iv) feasibility in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 21 bile duct ligated (BDL), n = 17 sham-operated controls) and fasted patients with liver cirrhosis (n = 11) and healthy volunteers (HVs, n = 10) underwent spoiled gradient-echo short-axis cardiac cine MRI studies at 9.4 T (rodents) and 3.0 T (humans). LD measurements were obtained from intrahepatic sub-cardiac regions-of-interest close to the diaphragmatic margin. One-week reproducibility and prandial stress induced hemodynamic changes were assessed in healthy volunteers. RESULTS Normalized LD was higher in BDL (1.304 ± 0.062) compared with sham-operated rats (1.058 ± 0.045, P = 0.0031). HV seven-day reproducibility Bland-Altman (BA) limits-of-agreement (LoAs) were ± 0.028 a.u. and inter-reader variability BA LoAs were ± 0.030 a.u. Post-prandial LD increases were non-significant (+ 0.0083 ± 0.0076 a.u., P = 0.3028) and uncorrelated with PV flow changes (r = 0.42, p = 0.2219). LD measurements successfully obtained from all patients were not significantly higher in cirrhotics (0.102 ± 0.0099 a.u.) compared with HVs (0.080 ± 0.0063 a.u., P = 0.0847). CONCLUSION Cardiac-induced LD is a conceptually reasonable approach from preclinical studies, measurements demonstrate good reproducibility and inter-reader variability, are less likely to be affected by hepatic hemodynamic changes and are feasible in patients with cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manil D Chouhan
- Division of Medicine, Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London (UCL), London, UK.
| | - Heather E Fitzke
- Division of Medicine, Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London (UCL), London, UK
- Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, Neuroscience and Trauma, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), London, UK
| | - Alan Bainbridge
- Department of Medical Physics, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - David Atkinson
- Division of Medicine, Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Steve Halligan
- Division of Medicine, Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Nathan Davies
- Division of Medicine, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Mark F Lythgoe
- Division of Medicine, Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Rajeshwar P Mookerjee
- Division of Medicine, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Alex Menys
- Division of Medicine, Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London (UCL), London, UK
- Motilent, London, UK
| | - Stuart A Taylor
- Division of Medicine, Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London (UCL), London, UK
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2
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Kreisel W, Lazaro A, Trebicka J, Grosse Perdekamp M, Schmitt-Graeff A, Deibert P. Cyclic GMP in Liver Cirrhosis-Role in Pathophysiology of Portal Hypertension and Therapeutic Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10372. [PMID: 34638713 PMCID: PMC8508925 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The NO-cGMP signal transduction pathway plays a crucial role in tone regulation in hepatic sinusoids and peripheral blood vessels. In a cirrhotic liver, the key enzymes endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), and phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) are overexpressed, leading to decreased cyclic guanosine-monophosphate (cGMP). This results in constriction of hepatic sinusoids, contributing about 30% of portal pressure. In contrast, in peripheral arteries, dilation prevails with excess cGMP due to low PDE-5. Both effects eventually lead to circulatory dysfunction in progressed liver cirrhosis. The conventional view of portal hypertension (PH) pathophysiology has been described using the "NO-paradox", referring to reduced NO availability inside the liver and elevated NO production in the peripheral systemic circulation. However, recent data suggest that an altered availability of cGMP could better elucidate the contrasting findings of intrahepatic vasoconstriction and peripheral systemic vasodilation than mere focus on NO availability. Preclinical and clinical data have demonstrated that targeting the NO-cGMP pathway in liver cirrhosis using PDE-5 inhibitors or sGC stimulators/activators decreases intrahepatic resistance through dilation of sinusoids, lowering portal pressure, and increasing portal venous blood flow. These results suggest further clinical applications in liver cirrhosis. Targeting the NO-cGMP system plays a role in possible reversal of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. PDE-5 inhibitors may have therapeutic potential for hepatic encephalopathy. Serum/plasma levels of cGMP can be used as a non-invasive marker of clinically significant portal hypertension. This manuscript reviews new data about the role of the NO-cGMP signal transduction system in pathophysiology of cirrhotic portal hypertension and provides perspective for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Kreisel
- Department of Medicine II, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Adhara Lazaro
- Institute for Exercise and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.L.); (P.D.)
| | - Jonel Trebicka
- Translational Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany;
| | - Markus Grosse Perdekamp
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany;
| | | | - Peter Deibert
- Institute for Exercise and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.L.); (P.D.)
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3
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Kreisel W, Schaffner D, Lazaro A, Trebicka J, Merfort I, Schmitt-Graeff A, Deibert P. Phosphodiesterases in the Liver as Potential Therapeutic Targets of Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6223. [PMID: 32872119 PMCID: PMC7503357 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cirrhosis is a frequent condition with high impact on patients' life expectancy and health care systems. Cirrhotic portal hypertension (PH) gradually develops with deteriorating liver function and can lead to life-threatening complications. Other than an increase in intrahepatic flow resistance due to morphological remodeling of the organ, a functional dysregulation of the sinusoids, the smallest functional units of liver vasculature, plays a pivotal role. Vascular tone is primarily regulated by the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) pathway, wherein soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) are key enzymes. Recent data showed characteristic alterations in the expression of these regulatory enzymes or metabolite levels in liver cirrhosis. Additionally, a disturbed zonation of the components of this pathway along the sinusoids was detected. This review describes current knowledge of the pathophysiology of PH with focus on the enzymes regulating cGMP availability, i.e., sGC and PDE-5. The results have primarily been obtained in animal models of liver cirrhosis. However, clinical and histochemical data suggest that the new biochemical model we propose can be applied to human liver cirrhosis. The role of PDE-5 as potential target for medical therapy of PH is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Kreisel
- Department of Medicine II, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Denise Schaffner
- Institute for Exercise and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (D.S.); (A.L.); (P.D.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany;
- Department of Radiology–Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Adhara Lazaro
- Institute for Exercise and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (D.S.); (A.L.); (P.D.)
| | - Jonel Trebicka
- Translational Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Clinic Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany;
| | - Irmgard Merfort
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany;
| | | | - Peter Deibert
- Institute for Exercise and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (D.S.); (A.L.); (P.D.)
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4
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Schaffner D, Lazaro A, Deibert P, Hasselblatt P, Stoll P, Fauth L, Baumstark MW, Merfort I, Schmitt-Graeff A, Kreisel W. Analysis of the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway in experimental liver cirrhosis suggests phosphodiesterase-5 as potential target to treat portal hypertension. World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24:4356-4368. [PMID: 30344420 PMCID: PMC6189851 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i38.4356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the potential effect of inhibitors of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) for therapy of portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis.
METHODS In the rat model of thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) pathway was investigated. Expression and localization of PDE-5, the enzyme that converts vasodilating cGMP into inactive 5’-GMP, was in the focus of the study. Hepatic gene expression of key components of the NO-cGMP pathway was determined by qRT-PCR: Endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), soluble guanylate cyclase subunits α1 and β1 (sGCa1, sGCb1), and PDE-5. Hepatic PDE-5 protein expression and localization were detected by immunohistochemistry. Serum cGMP concentrations were measured using ELISA. Acute effects of the PDE-5 inhibitor Sildenafil (0.1 mg/kg or 1.0 mg/kg) on portal and systemic hemodynamics were investigated using pressure transducers.
RESULTS Hepatic gene expression of eNOS (2.2-fold; P = 0.003), sGCa1 (1.7-fold; P = 0.003), sGCb1 (3.0-fold; P = 0.003), and PDE-5 (11-fold; P = 0.003) was increased in cirrhotic livers compared to healthy livers. Overexpression of PDE-5 (7.7-fold; P = 0.006) was less pronounced in fibrotic livers. iNOS expression was only detected in fibrotic and cirrhotic livers. In healthy liver, PDE-5 protein was localized primarily in zone 3 hepatocytes and to a lesser extent in perisinusoidal cells. This zonation was disturbed in cirrhosis: PDE-5 protein expression in perisinusoidal cells was induced approximately 8-fold. In addition, PDE-5-expressing cells were also found in fibrous septa. Serum cGMP concentrations were reduced in rats with cirrhotic livers by approximately 40%. Inhibition of PDE-5 by Sildenafil caused a significant increase in serum cGMP concentrations [+ 64% in healthy rats (P = 0.024), + 85% in cirrhotic rats (P = 0.018)]. Concomitantly, the portal venous pressure was reduced by 19% in rats with liver cirrhosis.
CONCLUSION Overexpression and abrogated zonation of PDE-5 likely contribute to the pathogenesis of cirrhotic portal hypertension. PDE-5 inhibition may therefore be a reasonable therapeutic approach for portal hypertension.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cyclic GMP/blood
- Cyclic GMP/metabolism
- Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5/metabolism
- Guanosine Monophosphate/metabolism
- Humans
- Hypertension, Portal/blood
- Hypertension, Portal/drug therapy
- Hypertension, Portal/etiology
- Hypertension, Portal/pathology
- Liver/drug effects
- Liver/metabolism
- Liver/pathology
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/blood
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/chemically induced
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/complications
- Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental/pathology
- Male
- Nitric Oxide/metabolism
- Nitric Oxide Synthase/metabolism
- Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Rats, Wistar
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Sildenafil Citrate/pharmacology
- Sildenafil Citrate/therapeutic use
- Thioacetamide/toxicity
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Schaffner
- Institute for Exercise-und Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79106, Germany
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Adhara Lazaro
- Institute for Exercise-und Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79106, Germany
| | - Peter Deibert
- Institute for Exercise-und Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79106, Germany
| | - Peter Hasselblatt
- Department of Medicine II, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79106, Germany
| | - Patrick Stoll
- Anaesthesiological Practice, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Lisa Fauth
- Institute of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79106, Germany
| | - Manfred W Baumstark
- Institute for Exercise-und Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79106, Germany
| | - Irmgard Merfort
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Annette Schmitt-Graeff
- Institute of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79106, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Kreisel
- Department of Medicine II, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79106, Germany
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5
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Deibert P, Lazaro A, Stankovic Z, Schaffner D, Rössle M, Kreisel W. Beneficial long term effect of a phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitor in cirrhotic portal hypertension: A case report with 8 years follow-up. World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24:438-444. [PMID: 29391766 PMCID: PMC5776405 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i3.438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-selective beta-blockers are the mainstay of medical therapy for portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis. Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5-inhibitors) reduce portal pressure in the acute setting by > 10% which may suggest a long-term beneficial effect. Currently, there is no available data on long-term treatment of portal hypertension with PDE-5-inhibitors. This case of a patient with liver cirrhosis secondary to autoimmune liver disease with episodes of bleeding from esophageal varices is the first documented case in which a treatment with a PDE-5-inhibitor for eight years was monitored. In the acute setting, the PDE-5-inhibitor Vardenafil lowered portal pressure by 13%. The portal blood flow increased by 28% based on Doppler sonography and by 16% using MRI technique. As maintenance medication the PDE-5-inhibitor Tadalafil was used for eight consecutive years with comparable effects on portal pressure and portal blood flow. There were no recurrence of bleeding and no formation of new varices. Influencing the NO-pathway by the use of PDE-5 inhibitors may have long-term beneficial effects in compensated cirrhosis.
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MESH Headings
- Administration, Oral
- Cholangitis, Sclerosing/complications
- Cholangitis, Sclerosing/diagnostic imaging
- Cholangitis, Sclerosing/pathology
- Computed Tomography Angiography
- Endoscopy, Digestive System
- Esophageal and Gastric Varices/diagnostic imaging
- Esophageal and Gastric Varices/etiology
- Esophageal and Gastric Varices/surgery
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/diagnostic imaging
- Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology
- Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/surgery
- Hemodynamics/drug effects
- Hepatitis, Autoimmune/complications
- Hepatitis, Autoimmune/diagnostic imaging
- Hepatitis, Autoimmune/pathology
- Humans
- Hypertension, Portal/diagnostic imaging
- Hypertension, Portal/drug therapy
- Hypertension, Portal/etiology
- Hypertension, Portal/pathology
- Liver Cirrhosis/diagnostic imaging
- Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy
- Liver Cirrhosis/etiology
- Liver Cirrhosis/pathology
- Middle Aged
- Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Syndrome
- Tadalafil/pharmacology
- Tadalafil/therapeutic use
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
- Vardenafil Dihydrochloride/pharmacology
- Vardenafil Dihydrochloride/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Deibert
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Exercise and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Freiburg 79106, Germany
| | - Adhara Lazaro
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Exercise and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Freiburg 79106, Germany
| | - Zoran Stankovic
- Inselspital, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, Institute of Diagnostic, University of Bern, Bern 3010, Switzerland
| | - Denise Schaffner
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Exercise and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Freiburg 79106, Germany
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79106, Germany
| | - Martin Rössle
- Private Praxis, Praxiszentrum, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Kreisel
- Faculty of Medicine, Endocrinology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, University Hospital, Freiburg 79106, Germany
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Kang SH, Kim MY, Baik SK. Novelties in the pathophysiology and management of portal hypertension: new treatments on the horizon. Hepatol Int 2017; 12:112-121. [DOI: 10.1007/s12072-017-9806-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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7
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Zhao X, Dou J, Gao QJ. Establishment of a reversible model of prehepatic portal hypertension in rats. Exp Ther Med 2016; 12:939-944. [PMID: 27446299 PMCID: PMC4950261 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.3405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to improve upon the traditional model of pre-hepatic portal hypertension in rats, and simulate the anhepatic phase of orthotopic liver transplantation without veno-venous bypass. A reversible model of portal hypertension was induced by portal vein ligation, with a label ring ligated along the portal vein. A total of 135 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: i) Normal control (NC) group; ii) portal hypertensive control (PHTC) group; and iii) reperfusion (R) group. In the R group, rats with portal hypertension underwent simultaneous clamping of the portal triad and retrohepatic vena cava for 1 h, followed by removal of the clamps to enable blood reperfusion. Portal venography and portal vein pressure were recorded during the surgery. Arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBil) levels were determined, and pathological changes of the liver were investigated by immunohistochemical staining. The results demonstrated that, 3 weeks after portal vein ligation, the vein area and the free portal pressures in the PHTC group were significantly increased compared with those in the NC group. The serum ALT and AST levels in the R group at different time points were significantly elevated compared with those in the PHTC group, and reached their maximal levels at 24 h after reperfusion. Furthermore, the PaO2 at 24 h after reperfusion was significantly decreased. In conclusion, the reversible model of pre-hepatic portal hypertension in rats was successfully established using the introduction of a label ring. This model may be useful for basic research focusing on the anhepatic phase of orthotopic liver transplantation without veno-venous bypass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, P.R. China
| | - Jian Dou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, P.R. China
| | - Qing-Jun Gao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, P.R. China
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Kreisel W, Deibert P, Kupcinskas L, Sumskiene J, Appenrodt B, Roth S, Neagu M, Rössle M, Zipprich A, Caca K, Ferlitsch A, Dilger K, Mohrbacher R, Greinwald R, Sauerbruch T. The phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitor udenafil lowers portal pressure in compensated preascitic liver cirrhosis. A dose-finding phase-II-study. Dig Liver Dis 2015; 47:144-50. [PMID: 25483910 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2014.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Revised: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitors may lower portal pressure. AIMS To investigate the effect of the phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitor udenafil on hepatic and systemic haemodynamics in liver cirrhosis. METHODS In an open-label phase-II-study, patients with liver cirrhosis Child A/B and hepatic venous pressure-gradient ≥ 12 mmHg received 12.5mg/day, 25mg/day, 50mg/day, 75 mg/day (n = 5, each), or 100mg/day (n = 10) udenafil p.o. for one week. On days 0 and 6, hepatic venous pressure-gradient was measured prior to and one hour after drug ingestion. Endpoints were reduction of hepatic venous pressure-gradient from day 0 pre to day 6 post intake and reduction in the acute setting. Pharmacokinetics were measured in the two lowest dosage groups. RESULTS Combining the 75 and 100mg/day groups hepatic venous pressure-gradient reduction after drug intake was 19.9% (p = 0.0006) on day 0. From day 0 pre-dose to day 6 post-dose hepatic venous pressure-gradient decreased by 15.7% (p = 0.040) and in 5/15 patients by ≥ 20% or to <12 mmHg. In the 100mg/day group, mean arterial pressure decreased from 98.9 mmHg by 6.2 mmHg (p = 0.037) from day 0 pre-dose to day 6 post-dose. Heart rates or electrocardiograms were unchanged. Udenafil was eliminated with t1/2 = 25 h. CONCLUSIONS Oral application of 75-100mg of the phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitor udenafil lowers portal pressure in the acute setting by about 20% without relevant systemic cardiovascular side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Karel Caca
- Klinikum Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Germany
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9
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Sharma V, Ten Have GAM, Ytrebo L, Sen S, Rose CF, Dalton RN, Turner C, Revhaug A, van-Eijk HMH, Deutz NEP, Jalan R, Mookerjee RP, Davies NA. Nitric oxide and L-arginine metabolism in a devascularized porcine model of acute liver failure. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2012; 303:G435-41. [PMID: 22421619 PMCID: PMC3774247 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00268.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In acute liver failure (ALF), the hyperdynamic circulation is believed to be the result of overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) in the splanchnic circulation. However, it has been suggested that arginine concentrations (the substrate for NO) are believed to be decreased, limiting substrate availability for NO production. To characterize the metabolic fate of arginine in early-phase ALF, we systematically assessed its interorgan transport and metabolism and measured the endogenous NO synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in a porcine model of ALF. Female adult pigs (23-30 kg) were randomized to sham (N = 8) or hepatic devascularization ALF (N = 8) procedure for 6 h. We measured plasma arginine, citrulline, ornithine levels; arginase activity, NO, and ADMA. Whole body metabolic rates and interorgan flux measurements were calculated using stable isotope-labeled amino acids. Plasma arginine decreased >85% of the basal level at t = 6 h (P < 0.001), whereas citrulline and ornithine progressively increased in ALF (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, vs. sham respectively). No difference was found between the groups in the whole body rate of appearance of arginine or NO. However, ALF showed a significant increase in de novo arginine synthesis (P < 0.05). Interorgan data showed citrulline net intestinal production and renal consumption that was related to net renal production of arginine and ornithine. Both plasma arginase activity and plasma ADMA levels significantly increased in ALF (P < 0.001). In this model of early-phase ALF, arginine deficiency or higher ADMA levels do not limit whole body NO production. Arginine deficiency is caused by arginase-related arginine clearance in which arginine production is stimulated de novo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikram Sharma
- 1UCL Institute of Hepatology, Royal Free Campus, University College London;
| | - Gabriella A. M. Ten Have
- 2Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas; ,3Department of Surgery, University Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Lars Ytrebo
- 5Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital of North Norway and University of Tromsø, Norway;
| | - Sambit Sen
- 1UCL Institute of Hepatology, Royal Free Campus, University College London;
| | - Christopher F. Rose
- 6Neuroscience Research Unit, Ho^pital Saint-Luc (CRCHUM), Universite' de Montre'al, Que'bec, Canada
| | - R. Neil Dalton
- 4WellChild Laboratory, Evelina Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom;
| | - Charles Turner
- 4WellChild Laboratory, Evelina Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom;
| | - Arthur Revhaug
- 5Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital of North Norway and University of Tromsø, Norway;
| | | | - Nicolaas E. P. Deutz
- 2Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas; ,3Department of Surgery, University Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Rajiv Jalan
- 1UCL Institute of Hepatology, Royal Free Campus, University College London;
| | | | - Nathan A. Davies
- 1UCL Institute of Hepatology, Royal Free Campus, University College London;
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Halverscheid L, Deibert P, Schmidt R, Blum HE, Dunkern T, Pannen BHJ, Kreisel W. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors have distinct effects on the hemodynamics of the liver. BMC Gastroenterol 2009; 9:69. [PMID: 19765284 PMCID: PMC2753560 DOI: 10.1186/1471-230x-9-69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2009] [Accepted: 09/18/2009] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The NO - cGMP system plays a key role in the regulation of sinusoidal tonus and liver blood flow with phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) terminating the dilatory action of cGMP. We, therefore, investigated the effects of PDE-5 inhibitors on hepatic and systemic hemodynamics in rats. Methods Hemodynamic parameters were monitored for 60 min. after intravenous injection of sildenafil and vardenafil [1, 10 and 100 μg/kg (sil1, sil10, sil100, var1, var10, var100)] in anesthetized rats. Results Cardiac output and heart rate remained constant. After a short dip, mean arterial blood pressure again increased. Systemic vascular resistance transiently decreased slightly. Changes in hepatic hemodynamic parameters started after few minutes and continued for at least 60 min. Portal (var10 -31%, sil10 -34%) and hepatic arterial resistance (var10 -30%, sil10 -32%) decreased significantly (p < 0.05). At the same time portal venous (var10 +29%, sil10 +24%), hepatic arterial (var10 +34%, sil10 +48%), and hepatic parenchymal blood flow (var10 +15%, sil10 +15%) increased significantly (p < 0.05). The fractional liver blood flow (total liver flow/cardiac output) increased significantly (var10 26%, sil10 23%). Portal pressure remained constant or tended to decrease. 10 μg/kg was the most effective dose for both PDE-5 inhibitors. Conclusion Low doses of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors have distinct effects on hepatic hemodynamic parameters. Their therapeutic use in portal hypertension should therefore be evaluated.
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Mookerjee RP, Jalan R. ADMA correlates with portal pressure in patients with compensated cirrhosis by Vizzutti et al. Eur J Clin Invest 2007; 37: 509-15. Eur J Clin Invest 2008; 38:67-8; author reply 69-70. [PMID: 18173553 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2007.01900.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Mookerjee RP, Vairappan B, Jalan R. The puzzle of endothelial nitric oxide synthase dysfunction in portal hypertension: The missing piece? Hepatology 2007; 46:943-6. [PMID: 17879360 DOI: 10.1002/hep.21905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rajeshwar P Mookerjee
- Institute of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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