Plasma Carnitine Kinetics during Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Background: Carnitine is synthesized mainly in the liver and plays an essential role in the transport of fatty acids in liver mitochondria for subsequent oxidation and energy production. Methods: The plasma concentrations of free carnitine, acylcarnitine, total ketone bodies, lactate, pyruvate, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology 1997, Vol.32 (4), p.357-362
Main Authors: Miki, C., Iriyama, K., Gunson, B. K., Suzuki, H., McMaster, P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Carnitine
Carnitine - blood
Carnitine - metabolism
Case-Control Studies
Energy Metabolism
Female
Humans
Ketone Bodies - blood
Liver - metabolism
liver transplantation
Liver Transplantation - physiology
Liver, biliary tract, pancreas, portal circulation, spleen
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Mitochondria, Liver - metabolism
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
Surgery of the digestive system
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Summary:Background: Carnitine is synthesized mainly in the liver and plays an essential role in the transport of fatty acids in liver mitochondria for subsequent oxidation and energy production. Methods: The plasma concentrations of free carnitine, acylcarnitine, total ketone bodies, lactate, pyruvate, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were measured during liver transplantation. Results: The plasma free carnitine and acylcarnitine concentrations and the lactate to pyruvate ratio in patients with compromised grafts (group A) were significantly higher than those in patients with well-functioning grafts (group B) after reperfusion. The acylcarnitine concentration in group B decreased after incision, but it remained at a high level in group A. Significant correlations were found between the concentrations of HGF and free and acylcarnitine after reperfusion. Conclusion. The accelerated flux of carnitine in the graft may be associated with deterioration of energy metabolism in the graft. An increased acylcarnitine concentration may reflect impaired liver regeneration.
ISSN:0036-5521
1502-7708
DOI:10.3109/00365529709007684