Liver transplantation reperfusion injury. Factors in its development and avenues for treatment.

This work studies some of the advances that have participated in the development of the liver transplantation-reperfusion injury. This lesion is a rather complex one that probably is not only associated with the production of free radicals, but also of other vasoactive substances such as, prostanoids, altered calcium related compounds, abnormal coagulation factors, as well as other important potentially harmful substances. Our interest since 1975, has resided in compounds that modify the xanthine oxidase pathway, such as allopurinol, that might either protect from the formation of free radicals or might act through other mechanisms such as, purine salvage and production of high energy compounds, among few of them. The pharmacological manipulation of the reperfusion injury, will require in this way, the use of various substances in the protection of the transplanted liver.