Lipid metabolism after liver transplantation from a living related donor.

1. The recovery of lipid metabolism was investigated in paediatric patients treated for terminal liver disease by liver transplantation from living related donors. 2. The cholesterol ester ratio (esterified cholesterol/total cholesterol) and the total cholesterol/phospholipid ratio increased from preoperative values of 0.35 +/- 0.04 and 0.59 +/- 0.03 to 0.65 +/- 0.01 and 0.68 +/- 0.01 at 3 weeks after liver transplantation in successful cases (means +/- SEM, n = 26), respectively, whereas these two parameters decreased in failed cases (n = 4). 3. Biochemical analysis indicated that weekly recoveries in the cholesterol ester ratio and the total cholesterol/phospholipid ratio are characteristic of successful liver transplantation with a graft from a living related donor.