[An experimental study on the correlation between hepatic hemodynamics and ultrastructural and immunohistochemical...

The correlation between hepatic hemodynamics and changes of sinusoidal endothelial cells after major hepatectomy was studied using adult mongrel dogs. The sinusoidal endothelial cells were examined both ultrastructurally and immunohistochemically. Three types of hepatectomy, i.e., 30%, 70% and 84% resection, were applied to these animals, 16 each. The results obtained were as follows: 1) Portal vein pressure and the vascular resistance after operation were significantly higher in 70% hepatectomized dogs than those in 30% hepatectomized dogs. Twenty-four hours later, however, the difference was not significant. 2) Portal vein pressure and the vascular resistance after operation were much higher in 84% hepatectomized dogs than those in 30% and 70% hepatectomized dogs. Only 2 of 84% hepatectomized dogs survived more than 8 hours, and the two dogs also died of circulatory insufficiency 24 hours postoperatively. 3) Electron microscopic observation revealed that the sinusoidal endothelial fenestrae in 70% hepatectomized dogs were contracted 3 hours after operation but dilated 24 hours postoperatively. These changes in 70% hepatectomized dogs correlated well with hepatic hemodynamics. 4) Immunohistochemical observation using thrombomodulin staining method indicated that the sinusoidal endothelial cells in 84% hepatectomized dogs were seriously damaged 3 hours after operation.