Value of endothelin in cellular rejection after liver transplantation.

Endothelin-1 is a vasoconstrictor peptide released by the vascular endothelium by various chemical and mechanical factors. Cellular rejection is one of the most common complications following orthotopic liver transplantation, endotheliitis being its most specific and consistent histological feature. To assess the role of endothelin in cellular hepatic rejection, we studied 21 cirrhotic patients undergoing elective liver transplantation. These patients were divided in two groups: Group I comprised 10 patients without cellular rejection, and Group II comprised 11 patients with cellular rejection. Endothelin was measured on day 7 after transplantation, on the day of liver biopsy, and after treatment for rejection. We found a significant increase in the plasma endothelin levels in the early postoperative period in the patients with moderate or severe cellular rejection compared with the non-rejection group. It remained significantly elevated until the clinical diagnosis of rejection was made. This value returned to baseline with successful treatment. So, the monitorization of this peptide may be of help in the diagnosis of rejection, its severity, and the evaluation of its resolution.