[Free radical damage in the transplanted liver]

The activity of lipid peroxidation (LPO), antiradical characteristics, content of sodium, potassium, magnesium, total and ionized calcium, copper, zink and iron in blood were studied in 12 patients in the course of ortotopic transplantation of the liver. The duration of the operation was on the average 11.5 +/- 1.5 hours, liver-free period 16.4 +/- 52 minutes, blood loss 7.2 +/- 2.5 l. It was discovered that in the liver-free period and in liver reperfusion there was a prominent shift of free radical and antioxidant properties, content of macro- and trace elements of blood. Because the studied parameters returned to the baseline level to the end of the operation the metabolic shifts are thought reversible.