Current research in the area of liver transplantation

Judith B. Ulreich, PhD
Section of Surgical Research

1. Natural agents that may be important in prevention or cures for liver diseases: Emphasis has been on the potential hepatotoxicity or hepatoprotective effects and mechanisms of action of herbal remedies used in the field of integrative medicine. Several herbal remedies (Schizandra, milk thistle, Reishi) have been found to exert protective effects against chloroform hepatotoxicity and/or ischemia/reperfusion. Others (Larrea tridentata/chaparral) have proven to be hepatotoxic. A novel approach has been use of precision-cut liver slice technology to investigate the in vitro effects of these agents. In vivo correlations are being made using a rat model.
2. Hepatoprotective properties of dimethyl sulfoxide in liver transplantation, including non-heart-beating donors: A collaborative project is underway with Robert McCuskey, PhD, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, using intravital microscopy to examine hepatic sinusoids in a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion.
   
3. Metabolism of halogenated hydrocarbons: A collaborative project is underway with P-G Forkert, PhD at Queen's University, Canada, that identifies the subcellular location and toxic metabolites of dichloroethylene, a common groundwater contaminant metabolized in the liver and having potential hepatotoxic effects. Our lab has also investigated the hepatotoxic effects of trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene.