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Hepatic stress gene expression and ultrastructural features under intermittent Pringle manoeuvre

Kwan Man1, Ting-Bo Liang, Chung-Mau Lo

  • 1Centre for the Study of Liver Disease, Department of Surgery, the University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China.

Abstract

Insights

Intermittent Pringle manoeuvre preserves liver function by upregulating protective heat shock genes. This technique maintains liver ultrastructure, reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury and complications during hepatectomy.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatobiliary Surgery
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Ultrastructure

Background:

  • Intermittent Pringle manoeuvre improves liver function and reduces blood loss during hepatectomy.
  • Molecular mechanisms and ultrastructural changes in the liver under this maneuver remain unclear.
  • Previous studies have not investigated liver ultrastructure in chronic disease patients undergoing this procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of stress genes in the liver during hepatectomy.
  • To examine the ultrastructural changes in the liver under intermittent Pringle manoeuvre.
  • To elucidate the molecular basis for improved liver function preservation.

Main Methods:

  • Hepatectomy patients (n=131) were divided into groups with and without intermittent Pringle manoeuvre.
  • Hepatic stress gene expression was analyzed in 25 patients.
  • Ultrastructural changes were assessed via electron microscopy in 22 patients.

Main Results:

  • Intermittent Pringle manoeuvre correlated with higher mRNA levels of heat shock genes (HSP 70A, HSC 70), indicating intracellular repair.
  • Key inflammatory genes (TNF-alpha, interleukin-6) associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury were not induced.
  • Hepatic ultrastructure was well-maintained, even with up to 120 minutes of ischemia.

Conclusions:

  • Intermittent Pringle manoeuvre upregulates protective heat shock genes, promoting intracellular homeostasis.
  • This molecular response is consistent with the observed maintenance of liver ultrastructure.
  • The findings support the use of intermittent Pringle manoeuvre for better liver preservation during hepatectomy.

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