Ischemia/reperfusion of the liver induces heart injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the cardiovascular injury induced by ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) of the liver by measuring changes in blood levels of cardiac troponin I (cTNI), an index of cardiovascular injury, as well as levels of selected indicators of an inflammatory response.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ischemia was induced in the rat liver by clamping the common hepatic artery and portal vein for 40 minutes, after which flow was restored, and the liver reperfused for 90 minutes. Blood samples were collected prior to ischemia and after reperfusion. cTNI as well as levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), hydroxyl radical (.OH), nitric oxide (NO), and alanine transferase (ALT) were measured.

RESULTS

I/R of the liver induced a significant increase in ALT (P<.001). Increased cTNI levels (P<.05) were associated with inflammatory responses, such as elevated levels of TNFalpha (P<.001), . OH (P<.001), and NO (P<.001). After administration of 3-aminobenzamide, a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, liver and heart injuries were significantly attenuated (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

I/R-induced liver injury was associated with cardiovascular injury, perhaps resulting from inflammatory responses triggered by elevated levels of reactive radical species of nitric oxide, superoxide, and peroxynitrite, by which PARP was activated. 3-Aminobenzamide, significantly attenuated I/R-induced liver and heart injuries.