Clin Mol Hepatol.  2019 Jun;25(2):190-198. 10.3350/cmh.2018.0087.

Evaluation of bioenergetic and mitochondrial function in liver transplantation

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Surgery, Portuguese Oncology Institute, Coimbra, Portugal. r23martins@gmail.com
  • 2Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
  • 3Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
  • 4Adult and Paediatric Liver Transplantation Unit, Coimbra University and Hospital Centre, Coimbra, Portugal.
  • 5General Surgery Department, Coimbra University and Hospital Centre, Coimbra, Portugal.
  • 6Center of Investigation in Environment, Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
We measured changes in mitochondrial function and bioenergetics that occur during ischemia/reperfusion in fresh liver samples of patients undergoing liver transplantation. These variations correlated with markers of liver function and clinical outcome. Ischemia/reperfusion injury related to liver transplantation affects mitochondrial function and bioenergetics. Experimental studies were conducted to identify the role of bioenergetics and mitochondrial dysfunction. To the best of our knowledge, no investigation of these two factors' impacts on liver transplantation has been performed.
METHODS
This was a prospective study of 28 patients who underwent liver transplantation. We measured parameters of mitochondrial function and bioenergetics in biopsies performed during the procedure.
RESULTS
We observed a statistically significant reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential, an increase in lag phase, and decreases in mitochondrial respiration and adenosine triphosphate content (P<0.010). Higher postoperative aminotransferase peaks correlated with worse mitochondrial function; mitochondrial respiration correlated with arterial lactate (P<0.010).
CONCLUSIONS
There is a relationship between mitochondrial function and ischemia/reperfusion injury. The future use of these clinical markers as prognostic factors may allow early identification of post-transplant liver failure and may indicate the need to perform a new transplant.

Keyword

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP); Mitochondria; Ischemia; Liver extracts; Liver transplantation

MeSH Terms

Adenosine Triphosphate
Biomarkers
Biopsy
Energy Metabolism*
Humans
Ischemia
Lactic Acid
Liver Extracts
Liver Failure
Liver Transplantation*
Liver*
Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial
Mitochondria
Prospective Studies
Respiration
Adenosine Triphosphate
Biomarkers
Lactic Acid
Liver Extracts
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