Rho-kinase signalling mediates endotoxin hypersensitivity after partial hepatectomy

Background: Excessive loss of functional liver mass results in hepatic dysfunction and is associated with an increased sensitivity to infection. This experimental study investigated the role of Rho-kinase in hepatectomy-induced sensitization to endotoxin. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice underwent 68 per cent hepatectomy and were injected 24 h later with 100 mu g Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Simultaneously, animals received either fasudil or Y-27632 for Rho-kinase inhibition, or phosphate-buffered saline. Untreated hepatectomized animals served as positive controls and sham-operated animals as negative controls. Liver injury and inflammatory parameters were assessed 6 h after LPS challenge by serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, histomorphology and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Hepatectomy resulted in a significant susceptibility to LPS, as indicated by inflammatory leucocyte recruitment (mean(s.e.m.) 10(l) leucocytes per high-power field), hepatocellular disintegration (ALT 22.4(3.1) mu kat/l) and apoptotic cell death (3.8(0.2) per cent). Rho-kinase inhibition reduced leucocytic infiltration by more than 33 per cent, abolished hepatocellular apoptosis entirely, and reduced turnout necrosis factor alpha expression by more than 48 per cent and CXC chemokine expression by more than 36 per cent. Conclusion: Hepatectomy increased susceptibility to LPS by Rho-kinase-dependent mechanisms. Blocking Rho-kinase signalling decreased LPS-induced liver injury in hepatectomized mice.