Alterations in CD4+ T-cell Subsets in Living Donor Liver Transplantation Associated With Graft Rejection.

Background and objectives: Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) play a key role in immune homeostasis after organ transplantation. However, the role of CD4+ T cell subsets in early acute rejection is still not well understood. Therefore, our aim was to determine changes in CD4+ T-cell subsets in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods: LDLT patients were assessed for T-cell subsets, Tregs frequencies and their functionality by flow-cytometry at peri- and post-transplant in the span of 1 year. Results: 33 patients were followed up and 11 (33%) patients have developed early acute cellular rejection (ACR). At peri-transplant time point, MFI of Foxp3+ Tregs was significantly increased compared to HC (P = 0.04). However, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+/CD127- Tregs numbers and IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-ß secreting functional Tregs were significantly decreased at 3 months compared to peri-transplant (P = 0.003). But in patients with rejection, CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ and CD4+CD25+CD127- Tregs were significantly decreased at day 3 compared to no rejection group (P = 0.048). Patients with rejection also showed significantly decreased numbers of IL-17 and TGF-ß secreting CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Tregs at peri-transplant time (P = 0.04, P = 0.03) compared to no rejection. Further, rejection group showed decreased terminally differentiated effector memory (TEMRA) at peri-transplant and day 7 (P = 0.048 and P = 0.01). Additionally, CD4+ central memory (CM) was decreased at peri-transplant (P = 0.05), 1 month (P = 0.04), and 3 to 6 month (P = 0.02). Interpretation and conclusion: Tregs frequencies were significantly decreased in peri-TX in rejection patients. Further, decreased frequencies of CD4+ TEMRA and CD4+ CM at day 7 and 1 month were associated with rejection.

Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Acute Liver Failure: Donor Safety and Recipient Outcome.

In countries where deceased organ donation is sparse, emergency living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is the only lifesaving option in select patients with acute liver failure (ALF). The aim of the current study is living liver donor safety and recipient outcomes following LDLT for ALF. A total of 410 patients underwent LDLT between March 2011 and February 2018, out of which 61 (14.9%) were for ALF. All satisfied the King's College criteria (KCC). Median admission to transplant time was 48 hours (range, 24-80.5 hours), and median living donor evaluation time was 18 hours (14-20 hours). Median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was 37 (32-40) with more than two-thirds having grade 3 or 4 encephalopathy and 70% being on mechanical ventilation. The most common etiology was viral (37%). Median jaundice-to-encephalopathy time was 15 (9-29) days. Preoperative culture was positive in 47.5%. There was no difference in the complication rate among emergency and elective living liver donors (13.1% versus 21.2%; P = 0.19). There was no donor mortality. For patients who met the KCC but did not undergo LT, survival was 22.8% (29/127). The 5-year post-LT actuarial survival was 65.57% with a median follow-up of 35 months. On multivariate analysis, postoperative worsening of cerebral edema (CE; hazard ratio [HR], 2.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-6.31), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS; HR, 16.7; 95% CI, 2.05-136.7), preoperative culture positivity (HR, 6.54; 95% CI, 2.24-19.07), and a longer anhepatic phase duration (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02) predicted poor outcomes. In conclusion, emergency LDLT is lifesaving in selected patients with ALF. Outcomes of emergency living liver donation were comparable to that of elective donors. Postoperative worsening of CE, preoperative SIRS, and sepsis predicted outcome after LDLT for ALF.

Effects of preoperative carbohydrates drinks on immediate postoperative outcome after day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting is the most common cause for unexpected hospital admission of patients undergoing day care surgery. Overnight fasting changes patient metabolic state and influences their perioperative stress response. Preoperative carbohydrate loading may have accelerated recovery and better overall outcome after major abdominal surgery. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of preoperative carbohydrate-rich drinks on postoperative nausea and vomiting and pain after day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: A total of 120 patients posted for day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in the study and were randomized into three groups. Group A (Cases)-receiving the carbohydrate-rich drink before surgery (CHO), group B (placebo)-receiving the placebo drink before surgery and group C (controls)-fasting from midnight before surgery. Postoperative nausea and vomiting and visual analogue score for pain were noted and analyzed for 24 h. RESULTS: Mean score of nausea in 0-4 h in group A was significantly lower as compared to group B and group C (p = 0.001). Difference in mean score of nausea in 4-12 and 12-24 h between groups was not significant (p = 0.066), (p = 0.257). Mean score of vomiting in 0-4 and 4-12 h in group A was significantly less than that of group B and group C (p = 0.004), (p = 0.001). Mean score of pain in group A was significantly less when compared to group B and group C in 0-4 h (p = 0.001) and 4-12 h (0.005). CONCLUSION: Perioperative consumption of a carbohydrate-rich drink can minimize postoperative nausea, vomiting and pain in patients undergoing outpatient cholecystectomy. Consumption of carbohydrate drinks up to 2 h prior to surgery is not associated with additional complications.