[Protective effect of ischemic postconditioning on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effect of ischemic postconditioning (IPC) against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

METHODS

Twenty-four normal male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, ischemia-reperfusion group (IR) and IPC group, and in the latter two groups, the rats were subjected to acute hepatic ischemia-reperfusion. IPC was achieved by several brief pre-reperfusion and withdrawn before persistent reperfusion. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of several antioxidant enzymes in the hepatic tissue were measured. The cell apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and the expression of Bcl-2 protein measured by immunohistochemistry. The mitochondrial ultrastructural and morphological changes of the hepatic cells were observed by electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Compared with IR group, IPC group showed significantly reduced concentration of MDA and the hepatocellular apoptotic index (P<0.05) with markedly enhanced activity of the antioxidant enzymes and Bcl-2 protein expression (P<0.05).The mitochondrial ultrastructural damage was also relieved obviously in IPC group.

CONCLUSION

IPC can reduce the hepatocellular apoptosis after reperfusion and offers protection against hepatic IR injury.