Bioenergy status of human liver during and after warm ischemia

Changes in the human liver's cellular bio-energy status during warm ischaemia and the subsequent blood reflow period were investigated by means of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay. In 8 patients, the average level of ATP in the liver tissue decreased significantly (p less than 0.05) from 28.7 +/- 8.6 mumol/g protein to 19.1 +/- 8.7 mumol/g protein within 10 minutes of warm ischemia. The pattern of decline in ATP levels did not correlate with clinical parameters, including presence of cirrhosis, liver function, type of ischemic method employed and postoperative complications. After reperfusion, ATP levels increased rapidly from 15.1 +/- 8.9 mumol/g protein to 19.6 +/- 8.2 mumol/g protein within 10 minutes, although the difference was not statistically significant. These patients' postoperative course was uneventful, and the results of serum chemistry tests were normal. The present study demonstrates a direct correlation between the levels of tissue ATP and the status of the liver's blood supply.