CHANGES IN TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA AND INTERLEUKIN-1-BETA PRODUCTION FOLLOWING LIVER SURGERY ON CIRRHOTIC-PATIENTS

Background/Aims: The purpose of this study is to investigate the possi ble participation of inflammatory cytokine release from macrophages/ m onocytes following liver surgery on cirrhotic patients in the pathogen esis of postoperative organ failures. Materials and Methods: Postopera tive changes in tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta pro duction in peripheral blood monocytes stimulated by lipopolysaccharide were examined in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma und ergoing hepatic resections, Results: Monocytes separated from the bloo d in cirrhotic patients prior to operation showed a greater ability to produce tremor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta than thos e in healthy volunteers. Monocytes in postoperative cirrhotic patients showed a greater ability to produce tumor necrosis factor-alpha and i nterleukin-1 beta in the presence of lipopolysaccharide than healthy c ontrols and preoperative cirrhotic patients. In the case of postoperat ive hepatic failure, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 bet a production in monocytes showed a remarkable rise along with progress ion toward hepatic failure. Conclusion: These results indicate that tu mor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta play an important rol e in the pathogenesis of postoperative Liver failures. When there are any stimuli to produce cytokines in monocytes, such as ischemia, signi ficant tissue injury and/or endotoxin, organ failures could develop an d progress subsequently.