Background/aims: The aim of this study in hepatectomy is to investigate whether or not hepatic ischemia elevates the serum prostanoid levels, and whether or not thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthetase inhibitor (OKY 046) improves hepatic damage.
Materials and methods: The prostanoid levels were measured in 22 hepatectomy cases. The beneficial effects of thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor were examined in cases who underwent hepatectomy under hemihepatic vascular control. The total prostanoid levels (6-keto PG Fla+ PGE2 + TXB2) were measured in 22 cases before and after hepatectomy. The hepatic ischemic time (HIT) was defined as the time required to perform a hepatic mobilization plus the right hemihepatic vascular control technique.
Results: The total prostanoid levels increased after hepatectomy (P < 0.01). The changes in the total prostanoid levels positively correlated with the HIT (P < 0.01). The 17 cases who underwent hepatectomy with the HIT were randomly divided into 2 groups; the OKY group (n = 9), OKY 046 (0.2 mg/kg/hr), the control group (n = 8); no drug was given. The OKY 046 administration reduced the TXB2 levels (P < 0.01), without any changes in the PGE2, or 6-keto PGF1a levels. The serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels after operation were lower, and the hepaplastin tests were higher in the OKY group than those of the control (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: These results demonstrated that hepatectomy under ischemia elevated the prostanoid levels. OKY 046 significantly reduced the TXB2 levels and the degree of hepatic damage in hepatectomy under ischemia.