Cytokine release following hepatic cryotherapy in a rat model

Background/aim: We aimed to establish an animal model of these called cryos hock phenomenon. Methods: 75 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups and underwent he patic cryoablation of different magnitudes. Pre- and postoperative blood sa mples were taker. at different times and analysed for TNF-alpha and IL-6. Results: TNF-alpha-levels at 4h and 8h postoperatively were significantly h igher following freezing of 50% of the liver volume than following freezing of 25% of the liver volume (p = 0.04 and p = 0.001). TNF-alpha and IL-6-le vels 4 h postoperatively were significantly higher following double freezin g of 50% of the liver volume than following single freezing (p = 0.025 and p = 0.05). Postoperative serum-AST levels, as a measure of liver trauma, we re associated with postoperative TNF-alpha and IL-6-levels. Conclusion: These results support the hypothesis that cryoshock is cytokine mediated and associated with the volume of freezing and the number of free ze thaw cycles.