Abstract

We studied protective effects of Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DBcAMP) which is a permeable form of cyclic AMP on ischemic liver failure (ischemic time: 90 minutes). Mongrel dogs were used. A portal-systemic bypass was established by inserting a heparinized catheter between the splenic vein and the femoral vein. Acute liver failure was induced by the en bloc clamp of the porta hepatis. In the treated group, 0.1 mg/kg/min (total dose, 300 mg) of DBcAMP was injected intravenously from three hours before the clamp to the end of the experiment. The control group was injected physiological saline. Effects of DBcAMP were evaluated according to survival rates, blood pressure, serum biochemical findings, hepatic blood flow, ATP levels in liver tissues and histological findings. The survival rates were 16% in the control group, and 88% in the treated group. The mean blood pressure after reperfusion was rapidly decreased in the control group while in the treated group, it was maintained nearly 100 mmHg. Serum biochemical findings, hepatic blood flow and tissue ATP levels were significantly improved in the treated group. On histological findings, necrosis with bleeding was observed one day after ischemia in the control group while in the treated group mild chronic ischemic change without necrosis was observed on two weeks after ischemia. In conclusion, ischemic liver failure was apparently protected by the administration of DBcAMP.