Increased serum interleukin-6 level and reduction of hepatic acute-phase response after major hepatectomy

It has been proposed that a major hepatectomy impairs the liver-related host defense mechanism. The changes in the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines and plasma acute-phase proteins synthesized in the liver were measured after partial hepatectomy. Peak levels of serum interleukin-6 were significantly higher after extended lobectomy than after lobectomy or segmentectomy (p < 0.01). Serum interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels showed no significant changes. Plasma levels of acute-phase proteins were significantly lower after lobectomy or extended lobectomy (p < 0.05). A reduced hepatic acute-phase response probably renders patients liable to infection after major hepatectomy.