Evaluation of Ischemia-Reperfusion Liver Injury by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in an Experimental Swine Model: The Effect of Desferoxamine

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury has long been regarded a primary factor for the physiological dysfunction that can occur following major liver resection performed under vascular control. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of treatment with desferoxamine (DFO), a potent antioxidative agent, monitoring the I-R injury on a porcine model of major hepatectomy. Materials and Methods: Twelve female pigs were allocated to control (n = 6) and DFO groups (n = 6) and underwent 30 min of liver ischemia, during which a ≥30% hepatectomy was performed, followed by six hours of postoperative monitoring. The DFO group animals were preconditioned with a continuous iv solution of DFO to a total dose of 100 mg/kg during their postoperative period. Liver remnants (≈70% of initial liver volume) were evaluated by means of infrared spectroscopy, serum lactate measurement of the systemic, portal and hepatic vein blood, and by immunohistochemical assessment of apoptosis in consecutive liver biops...