Effects of endothelin antagonist on hepatic allograft function procured from non-heart-beating donors

In the present study, effects of endothelin antagonist TAK-044 on the function of liver allograft subjected to 90 min of warm ischemia in donors were evaluated in porcine liver transplantation. All the recipient pigs in group 1 (untreated, n=6) died within 12 hr after operation, whereas all of the pigs in group 2 (TAK-044 treated, 10 mg/kg, n=6) survived more than 4 days (p<0.01). Postoperative serum liver enzyme concentrations in the recipient pigs were significantly lower in group 2 than in group 1. The elevation in the portal vein pressure immediately after reperfusion of the graft, was significantly reduced in group 2. It is suggested that the endothelin antagonist TAK-044 can improve the function of hepatic allograft procured from non-heart-beating donors.