H. Inagaki et al., The effect of intraportal administration of prostaglandin E1 on liver blood flow and liver function, HEP-GASTRO, 46(29), 1999, pp. 2909-2913
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Prostaglandin El (PGE1) exerts a hepatic cytoprotective ac
tion directly and indirectly through enhancing hepatic blood flow. Although
PGE1 is usually administered systemically, more than 60% of PGE1 is inacti
vated during only a single passage through the lung. By administering PGE1
intraportally the intrahepatic level of this drug can be increased effectiv
ely and liver dysfunction might be prevented. In this study, the effect of
intraportal administration of PGE1 to patients who underwent hepatectomy wa
s estimated.
METHODOLOGY: Twenty patients who underwent hepatectomy from January 1995 to
December 1996 were divided into 2 groups, i.e., a PGE1 group (n=8) and a c
ontrol group (n=12). Laboratory data and hepatic portal blood flow were exa
mined before and after hepatectomy. In the PGE1 group, PGE1 was continuousl
y infused at a dose of 120 mu g/day for 5 days through a catheter inserted
into the portal vein via the gastroepiploic vein.
RESULTS: There was no difference in the post-operative change in aspartate
aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) between the 2 grou
ps. Elevation of total bilirubin was more significantly suppressed in the P
G group than in the control group. Total branched-chain amino acids and the
tyrosine ratio reached their peak on the 5th post-operative day (POD) and
were significantly higher in the PG group. Post-operative portal blood flow
was significantly increased in the PG group.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that continuous intraportal administrati
on of small doses of PGE1 is effective for the protection of hepatic functi
on after hepatectomy.