The c-met protooncogene is a growth factor receptor with tyrosine kinase activity. Recently the hepatocyte growth factor was identified as the ligand for this receptor. Because the hepatocyte growth factor is a most potent mitogen in hepatocytes, possible involvement of c-met expression in hepatocarcinogenesis is suspected. In this study, we examined c-met expression in 23 hepatocellular carcinoma cases by means of Northern-blot analysis and an immunohistochemical study. Northern-blot analysis revealed c-met mRNA expression in the tumors of 6 of 19 patients (31.6%); in the immunohistochemical study, c-met protein was detected in 16 of 23 patients (69.6%). With both methods, c-met was found to be overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma compared with the surrounding normal liver. Comprehensive analysis showed that c-met protein expression was correlated with poor-to-moderate differentiation of cancer cells (p < 0.05). Tumor proliferative activity of hepatocellular carcinoma was evaluated by means of Ki-67 labeling index. All cases with increased tumor proliferative activity showed c-met protein expression, although the elevation of proliferative activity in the c-met-positive group was not statistically significant. These data suggest that the overexpression of c-met plays an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatic microcirculatory perturbation is observed after ischemia/reperfusion. Endothelin-1, a potent vasoconstrictive peptide, is known to modulate local circulation. This study was designed to examine whether endothelin-1 participates in the mechanism of microcirculatory disturbance and damage of the liver after ischemia/reperfusion. Ischemia in the median and left lateral lobes of the liver was induced for 60 min; it was followed by reperfusion for 24 hr. In some rats, endothelin-1 antiserum or control serum without endothelin-1-blocking activity was administered intravenously just before reperfusion. Rats were divided into three groups: an ischemia/reperfusion group that was injected with control serum, an endothelin-1 antiserum-treated group and a sham-operated group. Endothelin-1 concentrations in blood collected from the suprahepatic vena cava were measured before and after ischemia/reperfusion by use of a sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Index of blood volume in regional hepatic tissue and index of blood oxygenation in regional hepatic tissue were assessed with an organ reflectance spectrophotometry system before and at 5 min and 1, 2, and 24 hr after reperfusion. The endothelin-1 concentration in the ischemia/reperfusion group started to rise immediately at onset of reperfusion from basal values around 1 pg/ml and reached a value of 5 to 6 pg/ml 5 min after reperfusion; it was maintained at significantly high levels during the reperfusion period compared with the sham-operated group. Hepatic microcirculatory disturbance indicated by lowered index of blood volume in regional hepatic tissue and index of blood oxygenation in regional hepatic tissue levels was observed in the early phase of reperfusion in the ischemia/reperfusion group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

No abstract

This study examines whether tumor necrosis factor and endotoxin are involved in the pathogenesis of primary nonfunction of graft and pulmonary complication after orthotopic liver transplantation. Livers from Lewis rats were stored for either 1 or 4 hr in ice-cold Euro-Collins solution (1-hr storage and 4-hr storage group, respectively). Subsequently, donor livers were implanted orthotopically. In some experiments, anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody was administered intravenously before and immediately after the surgery into animals that received livers stored for 4 hr. Blood samples for the measurement of tumor necrosis factor and endotoxin were collected by way of an indwelling catheter placed in the suprahepatic vena cava. Serum tumor necrosis factor was elevated at all time points studied postoperatively in rats of the 4-hr storage group; however, tumor necrosis factor was not detected in the serum in the 1-hr storage group. Endotoxin was also elevated significantly in the serum of the former group compared with levels in the serum of the latter group. The peak value of endotoxin occurred 1 hr earlier than that of tumor necrosis factor, suggesting that the rise in endotoxin stimulated release of tumor necrosis factor. The histological study of livers stored for 4 hr showed substantial hepatocellular degeneration 24 hr after surgery, whereas hepatocellular damage was minimal in the 1-hr storage group. Serum ALT levels 24 hr after the operation in the 1-hr and 4-hr storage groups were 169 +/- 46 IU/L and 374 +/- 41 IU/L (mean +/- S.E.M., p less than 0.05), respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The purpose of this study was to determine whether hepatic tissue oxygenation after ischemia-reperfusion procedures is an indicator for later liver injury. Partial ischemia in the liver was induced by ligating the left pedicles. Rats were divided into two groups according to duration of ischemia: group A (30-min ischemia) and group B (60-min ischemia). Indices of blood oxygenation and blood volume in regional hepatic tissue, serum ALT levels and histological appearance of livers were evaluated. Twenty-four hours after ischemia and reflow, all rats in group A were alive, whereas only 67% survived in group B. Blood-oxygenation index and blood-volume index in group A rats rebounded quickly after reperfusion. In group B, blood-oxygenation index and blood-volume index remained significantly lower than in group A after reperfusion. Serum ALT levels at 60 and 120 min after reperfusion in group B were significantly higher than those in group A. Blood-oxygenation index measured at 5 and 60 min of reperfusion showed significant correlation with serum ALT levels at 120 min of reperfusion. When the percentage recovery of blood-oxygenation index at 5 and 60 min after reperfusion was more than 75%, all rats survived. No obvious signs of hepatocellular degeneration were observed histologically 5 min after reperfusion; however, substantial hepatocellular degeneration had occurred at 120 min of reperfusion in groups A and B. These data indicate that a decline in hepatic tissue oxygenation during the early phase of reperfusion (even when no obvious hepatocellular degeneration has been observed) can be a predictor of subsequent liver injury and prognosis.