[Liver sinusoidal endothelial cell damage during normothermic ischemia and reperfusion of rat].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the damage to liver sinusoidal endothelial cells during normothermic ischemia and reperfusion.

METHODS

The afferent vessels of rat liver were clamped for 20, 40, 60 and 90 min respectively. The blood flow to the liver then was restored by removing the clamp. Ultrastructural changes in the sinusoidal endothelial cells in various periods were observed.

RESULTS

After 20 or 40 min ischemia, fenestrations of the endothelial cells were enlarged and became mesh-like, but reperfusion for 120 min, led to recovery. After 60 or 90 min ischemia, the sieve plates and cytoplasmic processes of the endothelial cells were destroyed and the perikaryon tended to be desquamated. Reperfusion for 120 min led to no recovery, but resulted in the aggravation of injury and irreversible damage. The liver sinusoids were filled with numerous blood cells and blebs derived from hepatocytes, resulting in circulatory disturbance.

CONCLUSIONS

Warm ischemia results in severe endothelial cell destruction. Endothelial cell damages may have unfavorable effects on the microcirculation of the reperfusion liver after prolonged ischemia.