Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026

The Influence of Liver Resection on Intrahepatic Tumor Growth
Published on: April 9, 2016
The effects of urinary trypsin inhibitor on liver function and inflammatory factors in patients undergoing
Huayu Yang1, Yilei Mao, Xin Lu
1Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Background:
The inhibition of inflammation exerts benefits following massive hepatectomy in animals but not in the clinic. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and mechanism of ulinastatin on liver function and outcomes following hepatectomy.
Methods:
One hundred seventy-six patients undergoing hepatectomy were randomized into the treatment group (n = 86) and the control group (n = 90), receiving ulinastatin 150,000 U twice daily for 3 days and saline vehicle, respectively. Liver function, coagulation, thrombokinase, lymphocyte subsets CD4 and CD8, C-reactive protein, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cytokines were measured. Clinical outcomes were also evaluated.
Results:
Serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transferase, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were significantly lower after ulinastatin treatment, and the response of bilirubin was delayed. The benefits of ulinastatin were shown mainly in major hepatectomy earlier after surgery. The treatment significantly reduced hospital length of stay and recovery-related cost.
Conclusions:
Ulinastatin protects liver function and improves clinical outcomes, possibly via the inhibition of inflammation and oxidation at an earlier stage following major hepatectomy.
Related Concept Videos
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Active Drug, Metabolite and Fraction of Metabolized Drug
