Cytokine response of electrolytic ablation in an ex vivo perfused liver model

BackgroundThe inflammatory response following hepatic ablation depends on different factors including the method used, the duration and intensity of the treatment and the presence or absence of ischemia. Debate continues about the use of different modalities and whether some aspects of the response may be advantageous by releasing immunological active substances. Little data have been published concerning the cytokine response elicited by hepatic electrolytic ablation (EA). Study of an ex vivo liver model could allow for the evaluation of this response without the influence of confounding systemic factors.MethodsLivers explanted from 11 pigs were perfused extracorporeally with normothermic autologous blood. Four of them underwent EA after 1 h of reperfusion. Serum samples were obtained up to 6 h after the reperfusion and assayed for IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha.ResultsSignificant changes in the control group were observed for IL-6 after the second hour and IL-8 after the first hour compared with baseline levels (P ConclusionsThe ex vivo perfused liver model demonstrated changes in levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and TNF-alpha following hepatic EA.Gianpiero Gravante, Seok Ling Ong, Matthew S. Metcalfe, Roberto Sorge, John Overton, David M. Lloyd, Guy J. Maddern and Ashley R. Denniso