*Purpose: Liver preconditioning has been described to protect liver from ischemia injury and trigger liver regeneration. Hereby, we aimed to assess the effect of preconditioning maneuver in liver microenvironment using animal model

*Methods: Domestic Pigs (110-120 Pounds) were anesthetized and a 20.000 units of heparin were given intravenous. Under sterile conditions, the abdomen was open via midline incision. The liver hilum was identified and encircled with a vessel loop including hepatic Artery, Portal vein and common bile ducts. Three episodes of total vascular occlusion was performed for a period of 5 minutes followed by 5 minutes release. Prior and after vascular occlusion, 10 cc of blood from right hepatic vein and a liver biopsy were taken. We assessed for blood AST, ALT, PH, PO2, PCO2, HCO3, SO2, and Lactate. Biopsy we assessed for gene expression of interleukin (IL) 4 and 6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Histology was obtained.

*Results: All animals survived the episodes of vascular clamping with moderate-significant bowel distention. Main changes in intrahepatic environment during the episodes of vascular occlusion demonstrated increase on AST/ALT and especially LDH exacerbated along with subsequent vascular occlusions. We also observed a decrease in hepatic blood Ph (7.32 to 7.16), PO2 (37 to 24), increase PCO2 (52-74.1), Lactate (1.55 to 5.18) and potassium. We also observed an overexpression of IL6 and TNF genes in liver tissue, exacerbated with consequent periods of tissue ischemia

*Conclusions: This preconditioning study in pig demonstrate changes in hepatic microenvironment that seems to trigger protective mechanisms again injury and also prime the liver for regeneration process.

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