Impact of very early introduction of everolimus on liver regeneration after partial liver transplantation in rats

Abstract

AbstractBackground/PurposeThis experimental study in rats aimed to investigate the impact of very early introduction (within 3 h) of everolimus (EVR) + reduced‐tacrolimus (TAC) after partial liver transplantation (LT) on liver regeneration, rejection, and survival.MethodsBased on appropriate dose of EVR + reduced‐TAC in 70% hepatectomy (Experiment 1), allogeneic 30% partial LT (Experiment 2) and whole LT (Experiment 3) were performed.ResultsAfter partial LT in EVR + reduced‐TAC therapy, restoration of liver graft weight (to that of the whole liver) was delayed compared with standard dose TAC monotherapy (standard‐TAC) on day 3 (59.3% vs. 72.9%; p < .001) and 14 (88.1% vs. 95.5%; p = .01). Survival was 75%, which was not as high as the value of 100% observed for standard‐TAC, because neither infection nor rejection could be prevented. By contrast, survival after whole LT was 100% as neither infection nor rejection occurred.ConclusionsThe very early introduction of EVR + reduced‐TAC after partial LT delayed liver regeneration, and made it difficult to manage the dose required to suppress both infection and rejection. On the other hand, EVR + reduced‐TAC could be introduced safely very early after whole LT.