Abstract
Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion leads to an excessive release of proinflammatory cytokines, which promotes local and remote cell damage. The value of cytokine measurement in humans for predicting graft function after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, tumor-necrosis-factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and endotoxin (ET) levels were determined in the blood taken from the hepatic veins of 31 patients who underwent OLT. Peak levels of TNF-α in hepatic venous blood were measured shortly after reperfusion and were significantly higher than concentrations in the systemic circulation. IL-6 concentrations, peaking 90 min after reperfusion, only correlated with postoperative pulmonary dysfunction. ET was detectable in 21 patients, but levels did not correlate with either IL-6 or TNF-α concentrations. Additionally, serum cytokine levels did not correlate with the duration of ischemia or with histological changes seen in liver biopsies. In general, our study suggests that local secretion of cytokines does not predict liver function in the early posttransplant phase.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 25 October 1999 Revised: 7 July 2000 Accepted: 22 November 2000
About this article
Cite this article
Tange, S., Höfer, Y., Welte, M. et al. Local secretion of TNF-α from the liver does not correlate with endotoxin, IL-6, or organ function in the early phase after orthotopic liver transplantation. Transpl Int 14, 80–86 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001470050851
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001470050851