USES OF ANTIOXIDANT COMPOUNDS TO PREVENT REPERFUSION INJURY DURING ORTHOTOPIC LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

Abstract

Today, orthotopic liver transplantation is well established and effective treatment for end stage liver disease. Free radicals are fundamentally important to normal cellular function as biochemical intermediates, yet are extremely reactive molecules that are capable of indiscriminate and widespread tissue damage. Free radicals has been implicated in reperfusion injury following orthotopic liver transplantation. We have studied coagulation and haemodynamic changes in 20 patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. Ten were randomized to receive one gram of reduced glutathione (N acetyl cysteine) per gour during the anhepatic phase and continued for 24 hours, one gram of vitamin C and 400 IU of vitamin E at the time of portal vein anastomosis, as prophylaxis against reperfusion injury'. The other ten patients as controls. Over all blood loss was less ( < 0.05) and reperfusion coagulopathy is markedly reduced in the antioxidants group as assessed by prothrombin time, thrombin time and activated partial thrombin time. Blood products requirements was reduced in the antioxidants group as compared with the control in this study.