The protective effect of selenoprotein P on injury in rat liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Selenoprotein P (SeP), a plasma protein, is considered to have a protective effect against various organ damages. We investigated whether addition of SeP to storage solution could attenuate cold ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) in rat liver transplantation.

METHODOLOGY

After 24 hrs cold preservation in either University of Wisconsin (UW) solution with or without SeP (1 micromol/L or 10 micromol/L), the liver was flushed with warm lactated Ringer's solution. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level in the venous effluent was measured. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) was then performed after the same preservation as above. Blood biochemical features and tissue lipid peroxide levels were measured after OLTx, and morphometric changes analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining.

RESULTS

ALT levels in effluent in the SeP 10 group were significantly lower than those in other groups. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly decreased in the SeP 10 group. Histological examinations showed amelioration of sinusoidal damage in the SeP 10 group at 1 hr after OLTx. Percentages of necrotic areas and apoptotic sinusoidal endothelial cells were decreased in the SeP 10 group.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of SeP to UW solution attenuates injury in OLTx.