Understanding the effects of increased blood flow and regeneration on human livers

A2002397

Liver failure following extensive liver cancer resection or partial liver transplantation is a significant complication. After such major operations, it is essential for the remnant liver or the transplanted partial liver to be in good health to sustain its numerous functions until the liver regenerates, a phenomenon unique to this organ. The higher blood flow (hyperperfusion) through these small livers can cause substantial damage, leading to liver failure and, unfortunately, patient death in most instances.

In this pioneering research, Dr. Shaili Patel at the Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine (LICAMM), University of Leeds, in collaboration with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, aims to build a machine perfusion model (ex vivo; “out of the living”) to study the intricate mechanisms of human liver injury induced by higher blood flow. This approach will allow the investigation of the mechanisms underlying liver regeneration and failure in a laboratory-simulated setting and identify targeted therapies to overcome this fatal complication.

As a prominent clinical centre specialising in liver diseases, the mission is to improve outcomes in patients, particularly those with fatty liver and cancer. This study is an important step towards this paramount goal. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) is the lead centre for Living Donor Liver Transplant (LDLT), and this pivotal project will help establish LTHT as the Centre of Excellence for LDLT and Liver Cancer Surgery.

Lead Researcher	Ms Shaili Krishnakant Patel Research Fellow in HPD and Transplant Surgery Senior Registrar in General Surgery
Co-Researchers	Mr Raj Prasad Mr Abdul Hakeem Prof David Beech Dr Laeticia Lichtenstein Mr Charalampos Konstantinou Prof Tze Min Wah
Host Organisation/CSU	Abdominal Medicine and Surgery Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust University of Leeds
Grant Amount	£239,815.87
Start Date	05/10/2023
Estimated Duration	35 months
Impact Areas	Health Inequalities – Cancer Care Health Inequalities Paediatric Care Innovation and Health technologies
Tags/key notes	Early Career Researcher Cancer and neoplasms