Abstract for section “Clinical Hepatology, Surgery, LTX”

Introduction: Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is involved in several biological pathways, including angiogenesis, tissue repair, and wound healing. Increased TSP-1 levels contribute to pathological processes like inflammation and ischemia, which can lead to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In the liver, TSP-1 promotes hepatocyte proliferation and migration by interacting with integrin receptors on hepatocytes, indicating its potential as a target and prognostic marker for liver regeneration.

Methods: This prospective single-center study included 22 patients who underwent liver transplantation (15 deceased, 7 living donors) at Jena University Hospital from November 2021 to September 2022. TSP-1 concentrations were measured in the serum of transplant recipients via ELISA at several time points: preoperatively, during the anhepatic phase, after reperfusion, and on postoperative days 1, 2, 7, and 14. Clinical data, including cold ischemia time and lab values, were analyzed and collated in a SQL database.

Results: Recipients had a mean age of 57 years, and donors had a mean age of 61 years. TSP-1 concentrations changed significantly over time, peaking during the anhepatic phase. Younger recipients and donors exhibited higher TSP-1 levels, though without statistical significance. Patients with shorter cold ischemia times had significantly higher TSP-1 levels, as did those with longer operation durations and hospital stays.

Conclusion: The results suggest that TSP-1 may play a role in postoperative healing in liver transplant patients, offering insights into recovery and possible prognostic implications for surgical outcomes.

This project was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, Ger-man Research Foundation) via Project-ID: 465194077

Publication History

Article published online:
20 January 2025