Factors Affecting the Regeneration of Liver Graft After Living Related Liver Transplantation: A Preliminary Study

Impact of donor age on liver regeneration and function following adult living donor liver transplantation

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of donor age on liver function and regeneration following living donor liver transplantation. Donors were divided into an elderly donor group (age >50 years old; n=8) and a young donor group (age <30 years old; n=35). The recipients were also divided into an elderly group (age >50 years old; n=5) and a young group (age <30 years old; n=25). Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin (TB) and prothrombin time were recorded 1-5 days postoperatively. The liver regeneration ratio (LRR) was recorded 7 and 15 days postoperatively in donors and at 0.5, 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively in recipients by contrast-enhanced multi-slice spiral computed tomography. Notably, the LRR in the young donor group was significantly increased compared with that in the elderly donor group at 7 days postoperatively (P<0.05). Among recipients, TB in the elderly group was significantly increased compared with that in the young group at 1-5 days postoperatively (P<0.05). The residual liver regeneration rate was decreased and the time of jaundice was prolonged in recipients in the elderly group 7 days postoperatively, but donor age had little impact on the short-term outcome of the residual liver and graft.

Role of microRNA in liver regeneration

BACKGROUND

Liver regeneration is a complex process. microRNAs (miRNAs) are short, single-stranded RNAs that modify gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Recent investigations have revealed that miRNAs are closely linked to liver regeneration.

DATA SOURCES

All included studies were obtained from PubMed, Embase, the ScienceDirect databases and Web of Science, with no limitation on publication year. Only studies published in English were considered.

RESULTS

We grouped studies that involved miRNA and liver regeneration into two groups: miRNAs as promoters and as inhibitors of liver regeneration. We summarized the relevant miRNAs separately from the related pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Blocking or stimulating the pathways of miRNAs in liver regeneration may be novel therapeutic strategies in future regeneration-related liver managements. We may discover additional chemotherapy targets of miRNA.