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ADENINE NUCLEOTIDE METABOLISM AND ITS RELATION TO ORGAN VIABILITY IN HUMAN LIVER TRANSPLANTATION1
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1988
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The study examined how adenine nucleotide metabolism relates to ischemic injury in human liver transplantation. Thirty transplanted livers were grouped by post‑transplant function, and their adenine nucleotide levels were quantified using high‑performance liquid chromatography. Low total adenine nucleotide levels and absent early bile production predict poor graft function, whereas ATP recovery correlates with successful transplantation.
The relationship between adenine nucleotide metabolism and ischemic damage was studied in human liver. Thirty transplanted grafts were divided into two groups assording to their functional outcome. Cellular adenine nucleotide levels were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. During cold ischema, the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level was not correlated with graft function, but two grafts with low total adenine nucleotides (TAN) levels showed poor function after transplantation. After recirculation, the ATP level showed good recovery in grafts that functioned satisfactorily (n=24), 5.47±1.51 mUmol/g dry weight), but remained low in poorly functioning grafts (n=6), 3.30pL 1.68 mUmol/g dry weight) (P<0.01). Bile production, used as a parameter of initial function, was observed shortly after implantation in 17 of 24 grafts that functioned satisfactorily, but in only 1 of 6 poorly functioning grafts. It is concluded that loss of ademine nucleotides and lack of bile production during transplantation are good markers of damaged grafts in human liver transplantation.