PROSTAGLANDIN E(1) PROTECTS LIVER FROM ISCHEMIC DAMAGE

Studies were carried out to investigate the effects of prostaglandin E (1) (PGE1) pretreatment on normothermic liver ischemia. Mixed-breed do gs were divided into three groups: a control group, a group with induc ed liver ischemia, and a group pretreated with PGE1 followed by induce d liver ischemia. Liver ischemia was induced by the Pringle procedure for 60 min. PGE1 was administered intravenously to some dogs at a dose of 0.5 mu g/kg/min for 30 min prior to the Pringle procedure. Sham op erations were performed without induction of liver ischemia in control animals. Insulin, glucagon, and glucose metabolic clearance rates wer e examined before and after the Pringle procedure in the control and e xperimental groups. Insulin and glucose metabolic clearance rates decr eased 5 min after declamping in the ischemic group, while the glucagon metabolism was not affected, and lipid peroxide production increased. In contrast, hepatic insulin metabolism improved, and lipid peroxide production normalized in the ischemic group which was pretreated with PGE1. This study suggests that PGE1 prevents hepatic metabolic disturb ances due to warm ischemia and subsequent reperfusion. (C) 1994 Academ ic Press, Inc.