RESUMO
Objective To investigate and compare the dynamic changes of plasma endotoxin and CD14/TLR4 levels in the portal vein following partial liver transplantation in rats. Methods 100 %(group Ⅰ), 50 % (group Ⅱ) and 30 % (group Ⅲ) orthotopic liver transplantation models in the SD rats→SD rats were established in vivo according to "Kamada two-cuff method". Based on the principle of dynamic turbidity law, the plasma endotoxin (EU/ml) levels were determined at the postoperative time points of 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 h in recipients. The mRNA expression levels of CD14 and TLR4 in liver grafts were detected by using real-time RT-PCR. Results Under the condition of no significant difference in surgical factors, the plasma endotoxin levels in the portal vein of groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ were higher than in group Ⅰ , and reached the peak at the first h postoperation. The endotoxin levels in group Ⅱ were lower than in group Ⅲ. The endotoxin levels in sham-operation group were the highest. The mRNA expression levels of CD14 and TLR4 in groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ were significantly increased as compared with sham-operation group (P＜0. 01). Conclusion There exists portal vein plasma endotoxima in 100 %, 50 % and 30 % orthotopic liver transplantation in the rats. The smaller the graft volume, the higher and longer plasma endotoxin in portal vein, so is the relative quantification of the TLR4 and CD14 mRNA in liver grafts.