TY - JOUR T1 - Complement inhibition by soluble complement receptor type 1 improves microcirculation after rat liver transplantation. AU - Lehmann,T G, AU - Koeppel,T A, AU - Kirschfink,M, AU - Gebhard,M M, AU - Herfarth,C, AU - Otto,G, AU - Post,S, PY - 1998/10/15/pubmed PY - 1998/10/15/medline PY - 1998/10/15/entrez SP - 717 EP - 22 JF - Transplantation JO - Transplantation VL - 66 IS - 6 N2 - BACKGROUND: Recent observations provide evidence that complement is involved in the pathophysiology of ischemia/reperfusion injury. In this study, we assessed the impact of complement inhibition on hepatic microcirculation and graft function using a rat model of liver transplantation. METHODS: Arterialized orthotopic liver transplantation was performed in Lewis rats after cold preservation (University of Wisconsin solution, 4 degrees C, 24 h). Eight animals received the physiological complement regulator soluble complement receptor type 1 (sCR1) intravenously 1 min before reperfusion. Controls received Ringer's solution (n=8). Microvascular perfusion, leukocyte adhesion, and Kupffer cell phagocytic activity were studied 30-100 min after reperfusion by in vivo microscopy. RESULTS: Microvascular perfusion in hepatic sinusoids was improved in the sCR1 group (87+/-0.7% vs. 50+/-1%; P < 0.001). The number of adherent leukocytes was reduced in sinusoids (68.3+/-4.7 vs. 334.1+/-15.8 [adherent leukocytes per mm < or = liver surface]; P < 0.001) and in postsinusoidal venules after sCR1 treatment (306.6+/-21.8 vs. 931.6+/-55.9 [adherent leukocytes per mm < or = endothelial surface]; P < 0.001). Kupffer cell phagocytic activity was decreased in the sCR1 group compared to controls. Postischemic bile production reflecting hepatocellular function was increased by almost 200% (P = 0.004) after complement inhibition. Plasmatic liver enzyme activity was decreased significantly upon sCR1 treatment, indicating reduced parenchymal cell injury. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide further evidence that the complement system plays a decisive role in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. We conclude that complement inhibition by sCR1 represents an effective treatment to prevent reperfusion injury in liver transplantation. SN - 0041-1337 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/9771834/Complement_inhibition_by_soluble_complement_receptor_type_1_improves_microcirculation_after_rat_liver_transplantation_ L2 - https://doi.org/10.1097/00007890-199809270-00005 DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -