Effect of Pringle manoeuvere on ultrastructure of cirrhotic liver tissue in rats

Objective To study the effect of Pringle manoeuvere also known as portal triad clamping (PTC) on the ultrastructure of cirrhotic liver tissue. Methods Rats with tetrachloride carbon-induced liver cirrhosis were randomly divided into sham operation (SO) group and PTC group. After 45 min of ischemia and 6 h of reperfusion, blood and liver tissue samples were taken. Serum ALT and ATP levels were measured in two groups. The tissue sample was cut into sections for observing liver tissue lesions and ultrastructure under electron microscope. Results The serum ALT level was significantly higher in PTC group than in SO group (1 147.0±297.0 IU/L vs 117.8±58.0 IU/L, P< 0.05) whereas the serum ATP level was significantly lower in PTC group than in SO group (1.10±0.26 µmol vs 3.80±0.75µmol, P< 0.05). Electron microscopy showed mild hepatocytic mitochondria swelling in SO group, and severe hepatocytic mitochondria swelling, ruptured mitochondria membrane, loose and dissolved mitochondrial crista, and heptocytic karyopyknosis in PTC group. Optical microscopy showed patchy hepatocytic necrosis in PTC group. Conclusion Hepatocytes in cirrhotic tissue of rats are more sensitive to Pringle manoeuvere-induced ischemic injury, and the time of Pringle manoeuvre should be shortened as far as possible.