BILE-ACID PROFILE AS EARLY INDICATOR OF ALLOGRAFT FUNCTION DURING ORTHOTOPIC LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION

Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed in 20 pigs. Serum total bile acids (STBA) were determined and their profile compared with standard early function parameters: total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactic acid. In phase I, the STBA level was 32.89 ± 1.29 umol/1. In phase II, STBA accumulated to 84.46 ± 15.25 umol/1 (p < 0.01), followed by hepatic clearance in phase III (63.61 ± 9.71 umol/1: NS). Between phase III and 6- and 12-hour samples. STBA decreased progressively, reaching values of 33.63 ± 7.05 umol/1 at 24 h. AST was elevated in phases I, II, III, and at 6, 12 and 24 h (p < 0.001), as was ALT (but with insignificant differences). Thus. STBA and their profile appear to be earlier and more specific indicators of early graft function than conventional parameters. © 1990 S. Karger AG, Basel.