Impaired polymorphonuclear leucocyte function in patients undergoing hepatectomy: Adenylate energy charge and superoxide anion production in relation to hepatic mitochondrial redox state

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Abstract
Patients undergoing hepatectomy have an increased susceptibility to infection. We therefore studied the energy metabolism of the polvmorphonuclear leucocvte (PMN), focusing on energy charge and function, especially superoxide anion (O2−) generation, in relation to the hepatic mitochondrial redox state. By labelling the PMN adenine nucleotide pool with radioactive adenine and by superoxide dismutase-inhibitahle reduction of ferricytochrome c, the energy charge and O2− production was measured in 18 patients with hepatoma (non-cirrhotic, seven; cirrhotic, 11) undergoing hepatectomy. Their arterial ketone body ratios (KBRs), reflecting the hepatic mitochondrial redox potential, were above 0.7 before operation. After surgery, the 18 patients were divided into two groups: group A. KBR > 0.7, n = 10; and group B, KBR < 0.7, n = 8. The energy charge and O2− release in group B decreased significantly from preoperative values (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 respectively) and when compared with group A (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively). These results suggest that impaired hepatic energy metabolism (KBR < 0.7) in hepatectomized patients leads to impaired energy charge and O2− production in the PMNs.
Funding Information
  • Scientific Research Fund of the Ministry of Education
  • Ministry of Health and Welfare, Japan