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Perioperative treatment with cilostazol reverses steatosis and improves liver regeneration after major hepatectomy in a steatotic rat model

  • 0Department of General Surgery, Vascular-, Visceral- and Pediatric Surgery, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421, Homburg, Germany.
Scientific Reports +

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January 22, 2025

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January 22, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Cilostazol treatment significantly reduced liver steatosis and improved liver regeneration after major hepatectomy (PHX) in rats. This suggests cilostazol may prevent liver failure in patients undergoing PHX with fatty liver disease.

Area Of Science

  • Hepatology
  • Pharmacology
  • Surgical Research

Background

  • Cilostazol is known to reduce liver steatosis and improve hepatic perfusion.
  • Major hepatectomy (PHX) in patients with steatotic liver is associated with increased risk of liver failure.
  • Developing strategies to improve outcomes after PHX in steatotic liver is crucial.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the effects of cilostazol on liver steatosis and regeneration following major hepatectomy (PHX) in a rat model.
  • To assess cilostazol's impact on liver function, microcirculation, and cellular responses after PHX.

Main Methods

  • Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fructose diet to induce liver steatosis.
  • The treatment group received daily cilostazol (5 mg/kg) for six weeks prior to 70% PHX.
  • Hepatic blood flow, microcirculation, liver enzymes, apoptosis, neutrophil infiltration, and hepatocyte proliferation were analyzed post-PHX.

Main Results

  • Cilostazol treatment significantly reduced macrovesicular steatosis (41% to 8%) and animal weight.
  • Hepatic perfusion (arterial and portal venous) was increased on postoperative day 7 in the cilostazol group.
  • Cilostazol administration led to reduced liver enzyme release, decreased apoptosis and neutrophil infiltration, and enhanced hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration post-PHX.

Conclusions

  • Cilostazol effectively mitigates liver steatosis and enhances liver regeneration after major hepatectomy in a steatotic rat model.
  • The drug improved hepatic perfusion and reduced inflammatory and apoptotic responses post-PHX.
  • Cilostazol warrants further investigation as a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent liver failure in patients with steatotic liver undergoing major hepatectomy.

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