Enzymatic and Ultrastructural Evaluation of Hepatic Preservation in Primates

The Effect of Glucocorticoid Treatment on the Release of Acid Hydrolases from the Dearterialized Pig Liver

“…Previously, in experiments with temporary hepatic inflow occlusion and the treatment with prednisolone in various species the plasma reac tions of acid hydrolases have been found not to differ significantly from untreated control groups [9,16]. Favorable effects on ultrastructural dis ruption or survival rates have also failed [16,19], G rana et al [9] found the plasma activity of several cytoplasmic enzymes to be more elevated after prednisolone treatment and they suggested that the treatment might be harmful to the ischemic hepatic parenchyma.…”

“…Favorable effects on ultrastructural dis ruption or survival rates have also failed [16,19], G rana et al [9] found the plasma activity of several cytoplasmic enzymes to be more elevated after prednisolone treatment and they suggested that the treatment might be harmful to the ischemic hepatic parenchyma. This conclusion was also suggested by L ambotte [1973] from the study of the hepatic membrane potential after temporary ischemic liver perfusion and pretreatment with prednisolone.…”

“…Hypoxia of the liver during clinical and experimental conditions caus es release of various intracellular enzymes of cytoplasmic and lysosomal origin as an indication of cellular damage [3,5,6,9,16]. Disrupture of the lysosomal membrane and liberation of acid hydrolases into the cell may be one factor that induces cellular autodigestion and autolysis [4,17].…”

“…Glucocorticoids have also been tried in pharmacological doses in liver transplantation procedures in ord er to protect the graft against the anoxic damage [16]. Treatment with ACTH has been reported to reduce the mortality after temporary hepatic ischemia [10,15] , and large doses of corticosteroids have been given to patients in hypoxia due to shock.…”

“…In the dog Grana et al [9] found a considerable rise in cytoplasmic serum enzymes but a suppression of the acid hydrolase yi-glucuronidase by steroid treat ment in hepatic inflow occlusion, and Rangel et al [16] reported similar reactions in the monkey after pretreatment with prednisolone. However, the cellular ultrastructural disruption was not reduced by the medication nor was méthylprednisolone found to increase survival rates after hepatic inflow occlusion [19],…”