OBJECTIVESTo investigate the energy metabolism and post transplantation survival of liver graft under different warm ischemia times (WIT) in rats and determine the maximum limitation of liver graft to warm ischemia.

METHODSAccording to WIT, the rats were randomized into 7 groups, and WIT were 0, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 minutes respectively. The indexes of energy metabolism were measured by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and all liver graft specimens were subjected to ultrastructural observation. After orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx), the recovery of energy metabolism of liver graft after 24, 48 hours and the rats' survival were observed.

RESULTSThe levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and energy charge (EC) decreased gradually after different WIT in a time-dependent manner, and especially significant within 30 minutes. The levels of ATP and EC of liver grafts were largely recovered after 24 hours of OLT within 30 minutes of warm ischemia, partially recovered after 48 hours of OLT with 45 minutes of warm ischemia and hardly recovered even after 48 hours of OLT with 60 minutes of warm ischemia. The rat survival time after OLT was not significantly different within 30 minutes of WIT, while the long-term survival was insulted with 45 and 60 minutes of WIT.

CONCLUSIONSThe levels of ATP and EC after OLT may be the important criteria to evaluate the quality of liver graft. WIT of liver graft is closely related to both the recovery of hepatic energy metabolism and the liver graft survival.