Objective:To investigate the effect  of hypoxia preconditioning(HP) on intrahepatic cholangiocytes of autogenic liver graft and its mechanism.
Methods:The models of autogenic liver transplantation were constructed,including group A (autogenic liver transplantation), group B(hypoxic preconditioning before transplantation), and group C (sham operation).Blood samples were collected 24 huors after operation for examination of the serum total bilirubin(TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL)and alkaline phosphatase(ALP). Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and proliferation rate of cholangiocytes. The pathological changes were observed by light microscope.
Results:(1)Compared with group C,the TBIL,DBIL,ALP was increased in group A and B,but  increased more obviously in group A.(2)VEGF was detected in all groups,but in group B the expression was most obvious. As compared with group C, proliferation rate of cholangiocytes was higher in group A and B, but the proliferating cell nuclear antigen index (PI) was the highest in group B.(3) Compared with group B,the damage, inflammatory cell infiltrate and the absence of the cell arrange were more severe in group A.
Conclusions:HP has protective effect on cholangiocytes of autogenic liver graft,and its mechanism may relate with the over expression of VEGF on cholangiocytes induced by HP.