Related Experiment Videos
Plasma carnitine kinetics during orthotopic liver transplantation
C Miki1, K Iriyama, B K Gunson
1Dept. of Surgery II, Mie University Medical School, Tsu, Japan.
Background:
Carnitine is synthesized mainly in the liver and plays an essential role in the transport of fatty acids in liver mitochondria for subsequent oxidation and energy production.
Methods:
The plasma concentrations of free carnitine, acylcarnitine, total ketone bodies, lactate, pyruvate, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were measured during liver transplantation.
Results:
The plasma free carnitine and acylcarnitine concentrations and the lactate to pyruvate ratio in patients with compromised grafts (group A) were significantly higher than those in patients with well-functioning grafts (group B) after reperfusion. The acylcarnitine concentration in group B decreased after incision, but it remained at a high level in group A. Significant correlations were found between the concentrations of HGF and free and acylcarnitine after reperfusion.
Conclusion:
The accelerated flux of carnitine in the graft may be associated with deterioration of energy metabolism in the graft. An increased acylcarnitine concentration may reflect impaired liver regeneration.