Significance of activation of reticuloendothelial system on hepatectomy

The prognosis of patients after massive hepatectomy is poor in certain cases whose hepatic reserve, including reticuloendothelial function, is deteriorated. We administered OK-432 before 70% hepatectomy on rats to activate the reticuloendothelial system and studied its effect on postoperative course. The elevations in plasma endotoxin, GOT, and GPT were attenuated, and the deterioration of the complement activity after hepatectomy was greatly improved by OK-432 treatment. The RNA content in the liver was significantly increased by OK-432 administration. These findings suggest that activation of the reticuloendothelial system at the time of massive hepatectomy enhances endotoxin clearance from blood and thereby contributes in lessening the magnitude of hepatic injury, maintaining the serum complement, and improving liver protein synthesis.