Abstract

The constant growth of a liver transplantations performed in Poland is the primary reason for a search for new, better and more exact methods of graft function assessment. They should give an opportunity of early detection of either perfusion disorders or organ’s function deterioration. Thus, the goal of the study was assessment of the usefulness of arginase concentration marking in liver function monitoring after orthotopic transplantation. The group of 5 recipients of orthotopic liver transplants were taken into account. They were performed in 2003, in the Medical University of Warsaw Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery. Patients were qualified for the operation according to standards in the center. The indication for the operation was end-stage liver insufficiency. The average age in the study group was 45,6 years. The patient’s serum was taken two hours before the operation. Subsequently, the concentration of arginase activity was marked in serum and bile, first during day 0, 18 hours after the operation, and later at regular intervals during following days until the patient left the clinic, on average from 12 to 14 days. The arithmetical mean values of serum and bile arginase activity values were compared with the average value of a particular parameter, marked during the days following the liver transplant. Serum and bile arginase level fluctuations were assessed in relation to AST, ALT, bilirubin, LDH, alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) and gamma gluthamylo transpeptydase GGTP.

Keywords: Arginase, Liver Transplant, Liver Function Assessment