Medizinische Universität Graz - Research portal

Go directly to the nagivation.
Go directly to the content.

Navigation/Search

Selected Publication:

SHR Neuro Cancer Cardio Lipid Metab Microb

Schemmer, P; Liang, R; Kincius, M; Flechtenmacher, C; Bunzendahl, H; Gutt, CN; Mehrabi, A; Gebhard, MM; Büchler, MW; Kraus, TW.
Taurine improves graft survival after experimental liver transplantation.
Liver Transpl. 2005; 11(8):950-959 Doi: 10.1002/lt.20501
Web of Science PubMed FullText FullText_MUG

Leading authors Med Uni Graz: Schemmer Peter
Altmetrics:
Dimensions Citations:
Plum Analytics:
Scite (citation analytics):
Abstract:: Relevant mechanisms of reperfusion injury after liver transplantation are most likely mediated by activated Kupffer cells. Recently, it has been demonstrated that taurine prevents Kupffer cell-activation in vitro. Thus, this study was designed to assess the effects of taurine after liver transplantation. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (210-240 g) were infused with taurine dissolved in normal saline, before organ harvest. Controls were infused with the same volume of normal saline without taurine. Following 4 hours of cold ischemia, liver transplantation was performed. Graft and animal survival, serum transaminases, liver histology, perfusion data of intravital microscopy, blood distribution at reperfusion, and both phagocytosis of Kupffer cells and expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) to index cellular activation were investigated. For comparison, both, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Fisher's exact test were used as appropriate. Results are presented as mean +/- SEM. Controls survived in 60% of cases. Taurine improved survival in a dose-dependent manner to 100% (P < 0.05). In controls, mean aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) serum levels increased to 3,260 +/- 814; 1,703 +/- 432; and 14,071 +/- 3,177 U/L, respectively, after transplantation. In contrast, these values were between 20 and 45% of control values after taurine (P < 0.05). Histology taken after transplantation confirmed the significant protective effects of taurine, including the reduction of TNF-alpha expression. Time until homogeneous reperfusion of the graft improved to 50% of control values (P < 0.05). Further, taurine significantly decreased both phagocytosis of latex beads by Kupffer cells and leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction. In parallel, flow velocity of red blood cells as well as acinar and sinusoidal perfusion improved (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these data show for the first time in vivo that taurine minimizes reperfusion injury after liver transplantation. Decreased leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction and improved microcirculation are the proposed mechanisms, which are most likely Kupffer cell-dependent.
Find related publications in this database (using NLM MeSH Indexing): Animals -; Cell Communication - drug effects; Endothelial Cells -; Enzymes - blood; Female -; Graft Survival - drug effects; Kupffer Cells -; Leukocytes -; Liver - drug effects; Liver - metabolism; Liver - pathology; Liver - physiopathology; Liver Circulation -; Liver Transplantation -; Necrosis -; Phagocytosis - drug effects; Postoperative Period -; Rats -; Rats, Sprague-Dawley -; Reperfusion -; Taurine - pharmacology; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - metabolism