[Quantitative changes of hepatic microcirculation and mitochondrial function after splenectomy in liver cirrhosis...

To evaluate the potential risk of splenectomy for patients with cirrhotic liver. I measured quantitative time-course changes of portal pressure (PP), and hepatic tissue blood flow (TBF) by hydrogen clearance method and adenine nucleotides by HPLC in a rat model. Intraperitoneal thioacetamide injection (200mg/kg x 30) produced histologically proven cirrhotic liver (TAAs) as well as increasing the spleen weight and PP compared to controls. PP and TBF simultaneously decreased on the 1st postoperative day (POD) after splenectomy in TAAs, whereas controls showed no changes in these parameter after splenectomy. Although PP of TAAs remained decreased until the 7th POD after splenectomy, their TBF gradually increased between the 2nd and 7th PODs returning to the baseline value. Recovery of ATP or energy charge after their decrease on the 1st POD was delayed in TAAs. Splenectomy in TAAs enhanced the deterioration of energical metabolism. Splenectomy in cirrhotic rats resulted in an additional postoperative risk.