Effects of Liver Resection on Hepatic Short-Chain Fatty Acid Metabolism in Humans

Evelien P. J. G. Neis*, Johanne G. Bloemen, Sander S. Rensen, Joost R. van der Vorst, Maartje A. van den Broek, Koen Venema, Willem Buurman, Cornelis H. C. Dejong

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Aim To determine whether acute loss of liver tissue affects hepatic short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) clearance. Methods Blood was sampled from the radial artery, portal vein, and hepatic vein before and after hepatic resection in 30 patients undergoing partial liver resection. Plasma SCFA levels were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. SCFA exchange across gut and liver was calculated from arteriovenous differences and plasma flow. Liver volume was estimated by CT liver volumetry. Results The gut produced significant amounts of acetate, propionate, and butyrate (39.4 +/- 13.5, 6.2 +/- 1.3, and 9.5 +/- 2.6 mu mol.kgbw(-1).h(-1)), which did not change after partial hepatectomy (p = 0.67, p = 0.59 and p = 0.24). Hepatic propionate uptake did not differ significantly before and after resection (-6.4 +/- 1.4 vs. -8.4 +/- 1.5 mu mol.kgbw(-1).h(-1), p = 0.49). Hepatic acetate and butyrate uptake increased significantly upon partial liver resection (acetate: -35.1 +/- 13.0 vs. -39.6 +/- 9.4 mu mol.kgbw(-1).h(-1), p = 0.0011; butyrate: -9.9 +/- 2.7 vs. -11.5 +/- 2.4 mu mol.kgbw(-1).h(-1), p = 0.0006). Arterial SCFA concentrations were not different before and after partial liver resection (acetate: 176.9 +/- 17.3 vs. 142.3 +/- 12.5 mu mol/L, p = 0.18; propionate: 7.2 +/- 1.4 vs. 5.6 +/- 0.6 mu mol/L, p = 0.38; butyrate: 4.3 +/- 0.7 vs. 3.6 +/- 0.6 mu mol/L, p = 0.73). Conclusion The liver maintains its capacity to clear acetate, propionate, and butyrate from the portal blood upon acute loss of liver tissue.
Original languageEnglish
JournalPLOS ONE
Volume11
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Nov 2016

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