PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF THE CALCIUM-CHANNEL BLOCKER DILTIAZEM ON HEPATIC-FUNCTION FOLLOWING WARM ISCHEMIA

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of a calcium channel blocker diltiazem (DTZ) on hepatic ischemic injury using a canine model. Hepatic ischemia was induced by temporary clamping of hepatic afferent blood vessels for 60 min with establishment of a portojugular bypass. The administration of DTZ at a dose of 70 μg/kg bolus iv injection before hepatic ischemia and thereafter via the portal vein at a dose of 10 μg/kg/min well restored the hepatic blood flow (HBF, 92 ± 5%; P < 0.01) and arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR, 1.15 ± 0.16; P < 0.01) 1 hr after interruption compared with untreated controls (HBF, 61 ± 7%; AKBR, 0.53 ± 0.09). In addition, the increase of plasma lactate level and the decrease of mean arterial pressure were significantly suppressed after ischemia (P < 0.05). We concluded that DTZ has a protective effect on ischemia-induced hepatic damage and might be useful in the prevention of primary graft failure caused by warm ischemia in liver transplantation. © 1993 Academic Press, Inc.