The protective effects of
PGE1 on
ischemia-related liver damage were evaluated in dogs. Ninety minutes warm hepatic
ischemia was induced by the total clamping of hepatic inflow vasculatures with portal bypassing. The survival rate improved up to 62.5% when
PGE1 was administered intravenously prior to
ischemia, while no dog survived for longer than 1 week in the nontreated group. Hepatic
ATP content was restored up to 80% of preischemic level 2 h after reflow in the
PGE1 pretreated group, compared to 55% recovery in the nontreated group. Complete normalization of hepatic energy charge and rapid decrease of
lactate were also seen in the
PGE1 group. The clearance rate of intravascular
lipid emulsion remained fairly normal in the
PGE1 group, thereby suggesting well-preserved hepatic reticuloendothelial functions. The serum activities of
beta-glucuronidase, GOT and GPT were suppressed in the PGE1-pretreated group, thereby implying a well-protected hepatic integrity. The histology revealed well-preserved hepatic architecture. The remarkable cytoprotective effect of
PGE1 on hepatic
ischemia shown in this study indicates that
PGE1 warrants further study for protection of ischemically compromised hepatic allografts.