Administration of prostaglandin E-1 reduces post-operative hepatocellular damage and restores hepatic integrity in patients undergoing hepatectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The direct protective effects of prostaglandin E1 against hepatic dysfunction are unclear in recent studies. The aim of the present s tudy was to investigate whether post-operative administration of prostaglan din E1 reduces serum concentrations of a-glutathione S-transferase, a new i ndicator of hepatocellular injury, in patients undergoing hepatectomy. METHODOLOGY: The subjects were 15 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or hilar cholangiocarcinoma undergoing hepatectomy. Prostaglandin E1 was admi nistered to 10 patients (PGE1 group) and was not administered to 5 patients (control group). Prostaglandin E1 was administered for 24 hours from noon on post-operative day 1 to noon on post-operative day 2. Serum concentratio ns of alpha-glutathione S-transferase, reduced glutathione, cyclic adenosin e monophosphate, and total bilirubin, and the concentration of reduced glut athione in bile were measured postoperatively. RESULTS: The serum concentration of alpha-glutathione S-transferase was sig nificantly lower and the serum bilirubin concentration was lower in the PGE 1 group than in the control group. The serum concentrations of reduced glut athione and cyclic adenosine monophosphate were significantly higher in the PGE1 group than in the control group. Reduced glutathione in bile was high er in the PGE1 group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The present results show that administration of prostaglandin E1 reduces hepatocellular injury and restores hepatic integrity, post-opera tively, in patients undergoing hepatectomy.