Inhibition of liver protein synthesis during laparoscopic surgery

Previous studies have indicated that laparoscopic surgery is associated wit h a decline in liver protein synthesis. In this study, the fractional synth esis rate (FSR) of total liver protein and albumin was measured in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy at different times after commencing the procedure (n = 8 + 8. Liver biopsy specimens were taken afte r 15 min of surgery in an "early" group and after 49 min of surgery in a "l ate" group. The liver FSR was higher in the early group (24.1 +/- 4.7%/day) compared with the late group (19.0 +/- 2.8%/day, P < 0.02). The fractional and absolute synthesis rates of albumin were similar in the two groups, 6. 4 +/- 1.5 vs. 6.5 +/- 1.0%/day and 97 +/- 19 vs. 96 +/- 18 mg.kg(-1).day(-1 ) for the early and late groups, respectively. It is concluded that laparos copic surgery was accompanied by a decrease in total liver protein synthesi s rate, which developed rapidly during surgery. In contrast, no change in t he synthesis rate of albumin was apparent during the course of surgery.