Gallbladder mitochondria function as a prognostic factor for liver transplantation outcomes: a pilot study

Introduction: Biliary complications are the most frequent cause of post-operative morbidity and mortality following liver transplantation (LT) [1]. Assuming that the mucosa of gallblader reflect changes in bile ducts, we investigated whether gallbladder mitochondrial functions are associated with short and long-term outcomes after LT. Material & Methods: Data from 16 LT patients was compared with 14 controls. Cholecystectomy was performed following implantation and arterial blood supply restoration of the donor liver (LT group) and during pancreaticoduodenectomy (Control).Gallbladder mitochondria were isolated by differential centrifugation.Oxygen consumption rates were measured in freshly isolated mitochondria with an Oroboros oxygraph. Biliary and systemic complications were classified according to the time of onset into early outcomes (up to 2 months after surgery) andlate outcomes (later than 2 months after surgery). Results: We have found that mitochondria of LTgroup present markedly diminished phosphorylating respiration rates compared to the control group. LT group was classified into subgroups according to the respiratory rates in various metabolic states into strong and mild mitochondrial injury. Logistic regression analysis showed that ADP-stimulated respiration with glutamate and malate is significantly associated with early poor outcomes in LT patients. Conclusion: Gallbladder mitochondrial function isa potential prognostic factor for early outcomes after liver transplantation.