The role of hepatic lipid modifications in the pathogenesis of surgical endogenous intoxication

Abstract

Background. Despite the interest to the issue of surgical endogenous intoxication, mechanisms of impaired hepatic detoxification function in endogenous intoxication induced by acute peritonitis are studied insufficiently. Aim. To elucidate the role of modifications in membrane lipids of liver cells in imparing its detoxification ability in acute peritonitis. Methods. Acute peritonitis of different severity was modeled in dogs. The authors presented a new method for evaluating the liver detoxification function based on measuring concentrations of toxic products in the blood inflowing to and outflowing from the liver. Hepatic lipids were separated, fractionated and studied by densitometry. The qualitative and quantitative composition of liver lipids, intensity of lipid peroxidation, and activities of phospholipase A₂ and superoxide dismutase were measured in liver tissue in the dynamics of experimental peritonitis. Results. In surgical endogenous intoxication, the liver function correlated with the modifications of tissue lipids evident as considerable changes in the composition of major membrane-forming lipids and an increase in chaotropic fractions (fatty acids, lysophospholipids). Changes in the tissue lipid composition correlated with severity of the pathological process. Significant triggering mechanisms for the hepatic lipid modification were oxidative stress and a high phospholipase activity. Conclusion. In severe acute peritonitis, there is a high probability of profound functional and metabolic disorders in the liver so that it acquires an independent pathogenetic significance as a producent of toxic substances.