Prolactin (PRL) reduces the release of transaminases from the isolated pig liver.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated methods of increasing the effectiveness of preservation solutions. Recently, it has been reported that solution effectiveness can be improved by the addition of prolactin (PRL). This study determines the effect of prolactin (PRL) on the amount and release rate of alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) from liver during its 24-hour preservation period. MATERIAL/METHODS: Isolated porcine liver was kept in the HTK (histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutaric acid) solution with and without PRL. Once infusion and the 24-hour preservation period had been finished, samples of the preservation solution were taken and the amounts of released indicator enzymes were determined. RESULTS: Aminotransferases were released from hepatocytes to the preservation solution at various rates. ALT was released much faster into the solution without PRL (k=-0.1230 [U/l/h-1]) and slower with PRL (k=-0.0895 [U/l/h-1]). The enzyme was released into the solution with PRL at a 27% slower rate. Similar results were obtained when the release rate of AST was analyzed. AST was more quickly released into the solution without PRL (k=-0.0642 [U/l/h-1]), and more slowly with PRL (k=-0.0205 [U/l/h-1]). The enzyme was released into the PRL-containing solution at a 68% slower rate. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results indicate that the addition of PRL significantly lowers the amount of aminotransferases released from hepatocytes and also lessens their release rate, as it significantly affects the time of efficient in vitro storage of the liver.

Factors determining changes in concentrations of pro-inflammatory markers in blood serum in the initial period after kidney transplantation from dead donor.

BACKGROUND: The main aim of this paper is to determine scope of changes in concentration of selected pro-inflammatory factors in blood serum in the initial period after the kidney transplantation from the brain death donor and attempt of establishing which of them are connected with delayed function of the organ, initial condition of both the donor and the recipient. MATERIAL/METHODS: The prospective examination carried out in group of 20 patients that underwent kidney transplantation from 10 donors diagnosed brain death. Blood samples were drawn before the transplantation procedure, 4 hours after procedure and in 4(th) day after the procedure. The blood serum analysis included: interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta (IL-1b) and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: In perioperative period the dynamic changes of all observed markers were noticed, especially in 4 th hour after the transplantation procedure. Generally, apart from TNFalpha, their concentration in blood serum was raising (the most significantly for IL-6) and then in 4(th) day reached the level equal to or lower than before transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The delayed graft function is accompanied by high CRP level in donors before grafting and sustaining rise of IL-1b content in blood serum in 4(th) day after the transplantation procedure. The IL-6 content in this period revealed similar tendency in recipients' pairs that have been given the kidney from one donor, reflecting the condition of an organ that has been transplanted.

[Outcome assessment of kidney transplantation in Katowice in years 1983-2000]. / Ocena wyników przeszczepiania nerek w osrodku katowickim w latach 1983-2000.

The aim of this study was to analyze the 20 years experience of the Renal Transplantation Center in Katowice in which 681 kidney transplants in 678 patients were performed between March 1983 and December 2000. Several parameters have been analyzed in this group: HLA class I and class II antigens compatibility, the mean cold ischaemia time, time to restore renal function, recipient's mortality, the causes of recipients' death, the early post-transplant complications, and patients' and grafts' survival. In the analyzed period of time HLA matching improved significantly (the median number of matched antigens of class I and II increased from 1 to 3) and the mean cold ischaemia time decreased from 27 to 20 hours. The number of transplants with early graft function increased from 9.5 to 42% and the number of primary non-functioning grafts decreased from 16 to 9%. Also recipients' early mortality declined significantly (from 31 to 5.5%). Among early post-transplant complications cases with sepsis and gastrointestinal bleeding decreased significantly. Improvement of both one-year and five-years graft survival was observed. During the observation period the number of donors did not changed and the rate of living kidney donors remained very low (1.76% of all transplants).