缺血或药物预处理对大鼠供肝缺血再灌注损伤的抑制作用

目的　探讨缺血预处理 (IPC)或阿霉素预处理 (DPC ,模拟IPC)对大鼠供肝延迟性保护作用的发生机制。方法　将供鼠分为 3组。IPC组 :供鼠采用肝脏预先缺血 10min后再开放 ;DPC组 :供鼠经静脉注射阿霉素 (1mg/kg体重 ) ;对照组 :供鼠用等量生理盐水注射。观察各组预处理后血红素氧化酶 1(HO 1)和热休克蛋白 70 (HSP70 )含量 ;建立上述各组大鼠原位肝移植模型 ,并设假手术对照组 ,观察肝移植后各组对供肝缺血再灌注损伤的影响。结果　IPC组HO 1、HSP70含量分别于预处理 12h和 2 4h达到高峰 ;IPC和DPC组预处理 2 4h ,诱导的HSP70、HO 1含量差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 )。对照组肝移植后 6h ,肝组织中ICAM 1mRNA表达和内皮细胞ICAM 1分子表达明显增强 ,髓过氧化物酶 (MPO)活性增高 ,血清中天冬氨酸转氨酶 (AST)、丙氨酸转氨酶 (ALT)、乳酸脱氢酶 (LDH)及肝组织湿重 /干重 (W/D)水平明显升高 ,和假手术组相比 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 1)。IPC或DPC组肝移植后减弱了ICAM 1mRNA和蛋白表达及MPO活性 ,AST、ALT、LDH及W/D的水平亦明显降低 ,与对照组比较 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　IPC的延迟保护作用是通过降低中性粒细胞的粘附浸润来实现的 ,这与IPC诱导生成HSP70和HO 1有关。DPC可以模拟IPC的延迟性保护     

药物和缺血预处理对肝硬化肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的协同保护作用

目的探讨阿霉素和缺血联合预处理对肝硬化肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及其可能机制方法(1)诱导大鼠肝硬化模型；(2)缺血再灌注损伤前3组肝硬化大鼠分别行阿霉素预处理、缺血预处理、阿霉素 缺血联合预处理，比较3组和对照组AST、ALT、LDH和盯、TNF-α、NO、热休克蛋白70(HSP0)差异有显著性。结果阿霉素预处理、缺血预处理、阿霉素 缺血联合预处理能明显抑制AST、ALT、LDH水平升高，其中以阿霉素 缺血联合预处理作用最显著；缺血预处理能显著降低ET、TNF-α水平；阿霉素预处理和缺血预处理使N0显著升高；阿霉素预处理能使肝细胞HSP70显著增加。结论阿霉素和缺血预处理都能减轻肝硬化肝脏缺血再灌注损伤程度；阿霉素 缺血联合预处理对月十硬化肝脏缺血再灌注损伤有协同保护作用。     

缺血预处理对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤保护作用机制的研究

目的　探讨缺血预处理 (IPC)保护作用的发生机制。方法　建立大鼠部分肝脏热缺血再灌注模型。IPC采用肝脏缺血 10min ,再灌注 10min。结果　IPC后肝组织中腺苷和NO水平明显升高 ,与对照组相比差异显著 (P <0 0 1) ,但IPC前应用腺苷A2 受体拮抗剂后NO的升高被抑制 (P<0 0 1)。缺血再灌注 (I/R) 2h后血清中TNF α、AST、ALT、LDH及W/D水平和假手术组相比明显增加 ,而IL 10含量降低 (P <0 0 1) ;IPC、I/R前加入腺苷、IPC前应用腺苷A1受体拮抗剂显著地降低TNF α释放和AST、ALT、LDH及W /D水平 ,提高IL 10含量 ,与I/R组相比差异显著 (P <0 0 1) ;但IPC前应用腺苷A2 受体拮抗剂 (IPC +A2 antag)和NO合成酶抑制剂NAME并没有能像IPC组那样有效降低TNF α、AST、ALT、LDH及W /D的水平 ,提高IL 10的含量 (P <0 0 1) ;而IPC前给IPC+A2 antag组提供NO前体精氨酸又获得和IPC组同样的结果 (P >0 0 5 )。结论　IPC引起细胞外腺苷水平升高 ,腺苷A2 受体活化 ,介导了NO合成增加 ,最终通过抑制效应器TNF α的释放、增加IL 10的合成来实现对缺血组织的保护作用。     

肝脏及肢体缺血预处理抗大鼠肝缺血再灌注损伤的实验研究

目的研究肝脏缺血预处理(经典缺血预处理IPC)的第一保护窗(FW)与肢体缺血预处理(远端缺血预处理RPC)的第二保护窗(SW)及两者联合应用对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注(I/R)损伤的保护作用及可能机制。方法大鼠随机分成5组:I/R组不行预处理;IPC组以肝缺血5 min行预处理;RPC组以双后肢缺血5 min,反复3次行预处理;RPC+IPC组先行RPC,24 h后行IPC作预处理;S组仅行开腹,不行其他处理。3个预处理组及I/R组均行肝缺血1 h再灌注3 h。取血用于血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)与血清谷草转氨酶(AST)检测。切取肝组织用于测定肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)和热休克蛋白70(HSP70)的表达、湿干比(W/D)及观察显微、超微结构的变化。结果与I/R组比较,IPC组,RPC组及RPC+IPC组ALT,AST,W/D及TNF-α阳性表达均明显降低(P0.01),HSP70表达量明显增加(P0.01),肝脏的显微及超微结构损伤减轻;IPC,RPC,RPC+IPC组3组间各项指标差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论IPC的FW,RPC的SW及两者联合应用对大鼠肝脏I/R损伤均有明显的保护作用,三者在保护强度上无明显差异。其机制可能与抑制TNF-α的产生、诱导保护性蛋白HSP70的表达、减轻肝脏水肿、改善肝组织微循环有关。     

缺血后处理对大鼠肝缺血再灌注损伤早期的保护作用

目的 探讨缺血后处理（IPC）对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤早期的保护作用机理。方法 建立大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注模型，54只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组（SO组）、对照组（IR组）和缺血后处理组（IPC组）。后处理组于完全再灌注前，给予多次短暂复灌复停作为缺血后处理。分别于再灌注后1h、3h及6h抽血进行血清ALT、AST活性及TNF-α表达测定，免疫组化测定肝脏NF-kB活性及ICAM-1的表达。结果 与SO组比较，IR组及IPC组再灌注后大鼠血清ALT、AST活性明显增高，肝脏NF-kB活性明显增强，TNF-α和ICAM-1表达也随之增加；同IR组相比，IPC组的血清ALT、AST活性明显降低，NF-kB活性及TNF-α和ICAM-1表达亦明显降低，差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论 缺血后处理能够减轻肝脏缺血再灌注损伤。其保护作用可能与通过抑制再灌注早期NF-kB的活性，降低了TNF-α和ICAM-1等炎性细胞因子水平有关。     

前列腺素E1对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的 探讨前列腺素E1（PGE1）对肝脏 因再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法 制作常温下大鼠部分肝叶缺血再灌注模型，于缺血前经门静脉给予PGE1，45min后恢复血流灌注，并于1h后取门静脉血测定血清谷草转氨酶（GOT）、谷丙转氨酶（GPT）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、肿瘤坏死因子－α（TNF－α）及内皮素1（ET－1），同时取缺血肝叶行病理组织学检查。结果 缺血再灌注组GOT、GPT、LDH及TNF－α和ET－1均明显高于正常对照组，PGE1组则明显低于缺血再灌注组。PGE1组的肝脏病理组织学改变明显轻于缺血再灌注组，并接近正常对照组。结论 PGE1对肝缺血再灌注具有保护作用。     

缺血预处理对大鼠小体积供肝的保护作用及机制

目的探讨缺血预处理（IPC）对大鼠小体积供肝的保护作用及其机制。方法120只SD大鼠随机分为3组（每组20对）：无热缺血组（NWI）、缺血再灌注组（WI）和缺血预处理组（IPC）。用双袖套法建立大鼠小体积肝移植模型。各组10只受体大鼠于术前1d、术后1、2、3、5d取血，用自动生化分析仪检测AST和ALT。NWI组于供肝灌注前及植入后0．5、1、2、3h，WI组于热缺血前及植入后0．5、1、2、3h，IPC组于IPC前、IPC后及植入后0．5、1、2、3h取肝组织，用硝酸还原法检测其NO浓度。结果IPC可降低大鼠小体积肝移植术后血清AST和ALT浓度，提高再灌注早期肝脏组织NO的浓度，降低再灌注晚期肝脏组织NO的浓度（P〈0．05）。结论NO在大鼠肝脏的缺血再灌注损伤中可能具有双重作用。IPC对大鼠小体积供肝的缺血再灌注损伤有保护作用。其机制可能是通过促进供肝再灌注后早期NO合成，改善肝脏微循环，同时抑制供肝再灌注后晚期NO合成，减轻过量NO的损伤作用，从而保护移植肝脏功能。     

缺血预处理对大鼠皮瓣缺血再灌注后Bcl-2和Bax基因表达的影响

目的探讨缺血预处理（IPC）对大鼠皮瓣缺血再灌注（I／R）后凋亡相关蛋白表达的影响及其对皮瓣缺血再灌注损伤保护作用机制。方法采用Wistar大鼠为实验动物，制备右下腹岛状皮瓣I／R模型。90只大鼠随机分为对照组、I／R组和IPC组。采用SABC法观察IPC对大鼠皮瓣缺血再灌注后Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达规律。结果SABC法观察显示Bcl-2在缺血再灌注后4h有少量表达，24h达峰值，7d时明显减少。IPC组再灌注后4h表达较弱，3d达峰值，7d时明显减弱。IPC组与I／R组比较，Bcl-2在I／R后3d差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。Bax基因在I／R后4h表达，3d时达峰值，7d时仍有较高水平表达；IPC组各时间点Bax基因呈低表达，与I／R组比较，3d和7d时差异最显著（P〈0．01）。结论IPC诱导Bcl-2基因表达增加和抑制Bax基因表达可能是IPC诱导抗凋亡、产生皮瓣保护机制的原因之一。     

红花注射液对肝热缺血再灌注损伤保护作用的研究

目的 探讨红花注射液对大鼠肝热缺血再灌注损伤（IRI）的保护作用及其机制。方法 选用雄性SD大鼠，随机分成4组，每组6只。S组为假手术组。缺血再灌注组（I／R组）及红花预处理组（SPC组）在缺血前30min分别经肠系膜静脉注射生理盐水或红花注射液2mL／kg，而缺血预处理组（IPC组）缺血前30min阻断血流5min。再灌注后24h检测血清谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷草转氨酶（AST）水平；肝组织行HE染色，观察病理组织学改变及评分（根据Suzuki标准）；TUNEL法检测肝细胞凋亡；RT—PCR检测肝组织肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF—α）、巨噬细胞炎性蛋白-2（MIP-2）及细胞黏附因子-1（ICAM-1）mRNA的水平；Werstern blotting测定核转录因子κB（NF-κB）蛋白的表达。结果 再灌注24h后，与I／R组比较，SPC和IPC组血清ALT，AST水平、肝组织病理学半定量评分、肝细胞调亡指数、肝组织中TNF-α，MIP-2，ICAM-1 mRNA水平及NF-κB蛋白的表达均降低，差异均有显著性（P〈0.05）；SPC组与IPC组比较。上述各项指标差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论 红花注射液通过下调前炎性因子TNF—α，MIP-2及ICAM—1 mRNA的水平及抗细胞凋亡作用，可减轻移植肝IRI。     

乌司他丁对大鼠胰腺缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的探讨乌司他丁对大鼠胰腺缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法SD大鼠72只随机分为假手术组（C）、缺血再灌注组（I）和乌司他丁组（U）。采用ELISA和免疫组化方法检测大鼠血清中肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素1B（IL-1β）、胰腺组织bcl-2蛋白和热休克蛋白70（HSP70）表达的变化；并观察胰腺病理组织学改变。结果缺血再灌注组的各时点TNF-α含量明显高于假手术组和乌司他丁组（P〈0．05）；缺血再灌注组和乌司他丁组的IL－1β含量在6，12，24h较假手术组明显增加（P〈0．05），但乌司他丁组增高水平明显低于缺血再灌注组（P〈0．05）；乌司他丁组在再灌注6，12，24h时bcl-2蛋白表达明显高于缺血再灌注组和假手术组（P〈0．05）．后两组各时点表达水平比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；缺血再灌注组和乌司他丁组HSP70的表达在12，24h较假手术组明显增加（P〈0．05）。病理组织学观察：乌司他丁组炎症反应较缺血再灌注组明显减轻。结论鸟司他丁能降低大鼠胰腺缺血再灌注损伤时血清TNF—α、IL-1β水平和上调胰腺组织bcl-2蛋白的表达，对大鼠胰腺缺血再灌注损伤有明显保护作用。     

缺血预处理对肢体缺血再灌注损伤的影响

目的　观察缺血预处理 (IPC)对肢体缺血再灌注损伤的影响。方法　选择 2 0例需充气止血带止血进行手术的患者 ,随机分为对照组 (n =10 )和IPC组 (n =10 )。IPC组患者术前应用 3次 5min循环缺血 ,间隔 5min再灌注预处理后在止血带下进行手术 ;对照组直接在止血带下进行手术。在肢体缺血前和再灌注 30min、90min、180min分别取静脉血检测血清肌酸磷酸激酶 (CPK)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、乳酸脱氢酶 (LDH)、丙二醛 (MDA)和过氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)水平。结果　随着肢体缺血再灌注时间的延长 ,血中CPK、AST、LDH、MDA含量逐渐升高 ,而SOD活性逐渐降低。IPC组在缺血前及再灌注同时间 ,血中CPK、AST、LDH、MDA含量低于对照组 (P <0 0 5 ,P <0 0 1) ;而SOD活性高于对照组 (P <0 0 5 ,P <0 0 1)。结论　IPC能有效地减轻肢体缺血再灌注损伤程度 ,减轻脂质过氧化反应 ,提高肢体缺血耐受性     

The role of ischemic preconditioning in rat liver graft

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of different modes of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on an ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat liver graft. METHODS: A total of 192 Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups, each including 48 rats: control group (C), experimental group 1 (E(1)), experimental group 2 (E(2)), and experimental group 3 (E(3)). IPC was not performed in group C. Among the animals in the experimental groups, IPC was performed by blocking blood flow by the portal vein and the hepatic artery followed by reperfusion by removal of the clamp before donor liver resection: Group E(1), 5-minute ischemia and 10-minute reperfusion; Group E(2), 5-minute ischemia and 5-minute reperfusion and immediately the same procedure; and Group E(3), 10-minute ischemia and 15-minute reperfusion. Liver transplantations were performed 4 hours after IPC. At 0.5 hour, 2 hours, 6 hours, and 24 hours after portal vein reperfusion recipient blood and graft samples were obtained to determine the levels of ALT, AST, TNF-alpha, and apoptosis index (AI). RESULTS: At 0.5 hour and 2 hours after portal vein reperfusion, serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the experimental groups (E(1), E(2), and E(3)) was significantly lower than in the control group (P < .05). The values in group E(2) were significantly lower than those in groups E(1) and E(3) (P < .05). At 24 hours serum TNF-alpha in group E(2) was significantly lower than groups C, E(1), and E(3) (P < .05). At 2 hours and 6 hours, AI values in experimental groups (E(1), E(2), and E(3)) were significantly lower than in group C (P < .05). AI in group E(2) was significantly lower than that in groups E(1) and E(3) (P < .05). At 24 hours, AI values among experimental groups (E(1), E(2), and E(3)) were significantly lower than that in the control group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: IPC may attenuate liver graft injury by decreasing apoptosis of hepatocytes and production of TNF-alpha. The method of IPC with 5-minute ischemia and 5-minute reperfusion followed immediately by another cycle of the same procedure was a better way to protect a liver graft from I/R injury.     

Effect of ischemic preconditioning on hepatic microcirculation and function in a rat model of ischemia reperfusion injury

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) may protect the liver from ischemia reperfusion injury by nitric oxide formation. This study has investigated the effect of ischemic preconditioning on hepatic microcirculation (HM), and the relationship between nitric oxide metabolism and HM in preconditioning. Rats were allocated to 5 groups: 1. sham laparotomy; 2. 45 minutes lobar ischemia followed by 2-hour reperfusion (IR); 3. IPC with 5 minutes ischemia and 10 minutes reperfusion before IR; 4. L-arginine before IR; and 5. L-NAME + IPC before IR. HM was monitored by laser Doppler flowmeter. Liver transaminases, adenosine triphosphate, nitrites + nitrates, and guanosine 3'5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) were measured. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) distribution was studied using nicotinamide adeninine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase histochemistry. At the end of reperfusion phase, in the IR group, flow in the HM recovered partially to 25.8% of baseline (P < .05 versus sham), whereas IPC improved HM to 49.5% of baseline (P < .01 versus IR). With L-arginine treatment, HM was 31.6% of baseline (NS versus IR), showing no attenuation of liver injury. In the preconditioned group treated with L-NAME, HM declined to 10.2% of baseline, suggesting not only a blockade of the preconditioning effect, but also an exacerbated liver injury. Hepatocellular injury was reduced by IPC, and L-arginine and was increased by NO inhibition with L-NAME. IPC also increased nitrate + nitrate (NOx) and cGMP concentrations. NOS detected by NADPH diaphorase staining was associated with hepatocytes and vascular endothelium, and was induced by IPC. IPC induced NOS and attenuated HM impairment and hepatocellular injury. These data strongly suggest a role for nitric oxide in IPC. (Liver Transpl 2002;8:1182-1191.)     

Effects of ischemic preconditioning on regenerative capacity of hepatocyte in the ischemically damaged rat livers

BACKGROUND: Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy is regulated by several factors that activate or inhibit hepatocyte proliferation. A short period of ischemia-reperfusion (IR), called ischemic preconditioning (IPC), protects the liver against subsequent sustained ischemic insults. The present study investigated the effects of IPC on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy under IR in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were subjected to 45 min of total hepatic ischemia, and 70% hepatectomy was performed just before reperfusion. Animals were pre-treated with either IPC (10/15 min) (IPC + PHx group) or not (ischemia + PHx). The survival rate, serum transaminases, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interleukin (IL)-6 levels, hepatocyte proliferation and histological change of the remnant liver were measured in both groups and compared with non-ischemic controls subjected to 70% hepatectomy alone (PHx group). RESULTS: The survival rate was significantly better in the IPC + PHx group than in the ischemia + PHx group. Furthermore, IPC reduced liver injury determined by liver histology and serum transaminases. There was an early rise in serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in the ischemia + PHx group. Compared with non-ischemic controls, IPC significantly decreased TNF-alpha, but not IL-6 during the late (24 and 48 h) phases of reperfusion. Rats subjected to 70% hepatectomy and 45 min of hepatic ischemia showed significantly reduced hepatocyte proliferation (mitotic index, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and relative liver weight) when compared with animals subjected to hepatectomy alone. However, hepatocyte proliferation was markedly increased in rats pretreatment with IPC when compared with ischemic controls. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ischemic pre-conditioning ameliorates the hepatic injury associated with ischemia-reperfusion and has a stimulatory effect on liver cell regeneration that may make it valuable as a hepatoprotective modality. Il-6 appears to be key mediator in promoting regeneration after combined ischemia and hepatic resection.     

Pharmacologic stimulation of adenosine A2 receptor supplants ischemic preconditioning in providing ischemic tolerance in rat livers

BACKGROUND: Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is a promising strategy for conferring ischemic tolerance. We confirmed the acquisition of ischemic tolerance in the liver immediately after IPC and the role of adenosine kinetics in this process. METHODS: Male Lewis rats were used. IPC was administered with a 10-minute ischemia followed by a 10-minute reperfusion. Ischemic tolerance was tested with a 45-minute ischemia. Changes in the adenosine concentrations in liver tissue were evaluated, and the effects of adenosine A1 or A2 receptor agonists or antagonists were examined either in place of or against IPC. RESULTS: The 7-day animal survival was significantly better in the IPC group than in the control group (87% vs 53%; n = 15, P < .05). The release of liver-related enzymes during reperfusion was suppressed better in the IPC group (P < .01). Recovery of adenosine triphosphate levels was faster in the IPC group (P < .01). After IPC, adenosine concentrations in liver tissue immediately increased to 1555 +/- 299 pmol/g wet tissue and were maintained at that level during a subsequent 45-minute ischemia. The ischemic tolerance generated by IPC was mimicked by the administration of adenosine A2 receptor agonist and opposed by adenosine A2 receptor antagonist. CONCLUSIONS: The ischemic tolerance of the liver immediately after IPC can be supplanted by selective pharmacologic stimulation of adenosine A2 receptors.     

不同预处理对肝硬化兔缺血再灌注肝组织HSP70及ET-1表达的影响

目的:探讨两种预处理方式,即经典缺血预处理(IPC)与肢体缺血预处理(LIPC),对肝硬化兔肝缺血再灌注(I/R)损伤的保护作用及可能的作用机制。方法:皮下注射CCl4-橄榄油溶液制备兔肝硬化模型,随后将模型兔随机分为假手术组,肝I/R组(I/R组),IPC+肝I/R组(IPC组),LIPC+肝I/R组(LIPC组),每组7只。肝I/R模型制作方法:阻断入肝血流30 min,再灌注2 h;IPC诱导方法:在行肝I/R处理前阻断入肝血流10 min,开放10 min;LIPC诱导方法:在行肝I/R处理前24 h,采用止血带捆扎兔单侧后肢5 min,再开放5 min,重复3次。各组于再灌注2 h后切取肝组织,行组织形态学观察,用ELISA法测定内皮素1(ET-1)含量及Western blot法检测热休克蛋白(HSP70)的表达。结果:与假手术组比较,其余各组在肝硬化病变的基础上均出现不同程度的变性、水肿和炎性细胞浸润,但IPC组与LIPC组明显轻于I/R组,而LIPC组及IPC组间病变程度无明显差异;与假手术组比较,其余各组肝组织ET-1含量和HSP70的表达均明显增加(均P<0.05),但IPC组与LIPC组肝组织ET-1含量低于I/R组,HSP70的表达高于I/R组(均P<0.05),而上述2项指标在LIPC及IPC组间均无统计学差异(均P>0.05)。结论:LIPC和IPC均能对肝硬化肝I/R损伤有保护作用,且保护强度相似,其机制可能均与抑制ET-1的释放及增加HSP70的表达有关;LIPC具有无创性,可能具有更大的临床应用前景。     

缺血预处理对家兔脑缺血保护效应的实验研究

目的 探讨缺血预处理脑保护效应,以及神经细胞凋亡与缺血性脑损害的关系。方法 家兔１５只,随机分为３组,对照组,缺血组,缺血预处理组。Ａ组只做手术操作,Ｂ组采用二血管夹闭全脑缺血１０分钟,Ｃ组在缺血前增加缺血预处理２分钟再灌注３０分钟。对比观察缺血后３天海马ＣＡ１区神经元密度和缺血细胞数,同时使用ＴＵＮＥＬ原位标记法,检测缺血３天后海马区的凋亡细胞。     

Threshold level of NF-kB activation in small bowel ischemic preconditioning procedure

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC), which is obtained by exposure to brief periods of vascular occlusion, improves organ tolerance to prolonged ischemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the threshold level of NF-kB activation in small intestine during an IPC procedure. Various intestinal IPC were performed on 20 Wistar rats in seven groups: group I (GI, nonpreconditioned); group II (GII, 1-minute ischemia and 1-minute reperfusion); group III (GIII, two cycles of 1-minute ischemia and 1-minute reperfusion); group IV (GIV, 2-minutes ischemia and 2-minutes reperfusion); group V (GV, two cycles of 2-minute ischemia and 2-minute reperfusion); group VI (GVI, 5-minute ischemia and 10-minute reperfusion); group VII (GVII, two cycles of 5-minute ischemia and 10-minute reperfusion). Bowel biopsies were collected after laparotomy (control) as well as at 30, 60, and 120 minutes following IPC. We determined the cytoplasmic and nuclear NF-kB by a chemiluminescence-based ELISA method. Our results showed low, constant NF-kB levels in GI. In the preconditioned groups (GII-GVII), NF-kB was significantly elevated at 30 minutes following IPC (P < .05 vs control). After 1 hour, NF-kB activity decreased to the control level. However, 2 hours after IPC both forms of NF-kB were elevated significantly again, which was independent of the number of IPC cycles (P < .05 vs control). Our experiments revealed that one cycle of 1-minute ischemia and 1-minute reperfusion is a critical threshold level for NF-kB activation during small bowel IPC. Longer and more IPC cycles did not result in further elevation of NF-kB activation.     

Interleukin-6 and STAT3 protect the liver from hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury during ischemic preconditioning

BACKGROUND: Ischemic preconditioning has been shown to protect the liver from ischemia/reperfusion injury. We hypothesized that IL-6 directly modulates the protective effects of ischemic preconditioning. METHODS: Three weeks after undergoing splenic transposition, wild-type C57BL/6 and IL-6 null mice underwent 75 minutes of total hepatic ischemia with or without prior ischemic preconditioning (10 minutes of ischemia followed by 15 minutes of reperfusion). After reperfusion, serum ALT, serum IL-6, hepatic IL-6 mRNA, hepatic pSTAT3, and liver histology were evaluated. RESULTS: In wild-type mice, survival at 24 hours was greater in the preconditioned group compared with the non-preconditioned group (75% vs 40%, P<.05). In IL-6 null mice, however, ischemic preconditioning did not improve survival when compared with the non-preconditioned group. Preconditioning significantly reduced hepatocellular injury in wild-type mice (P<.05) when compared with IL-6 null animals. This protection was associated with significant increases in serum IL-6, hepatic IL-6 mRNA, and hepatic pSTAT3 levels (P<.05). The protective effects of ischemic preconditioning that correlated with significant increases in systemic IL-6, hepatic IL-6 mRNA abundance, and pSTAT3 levels, were not observed in IL-6 null mice. CONCLUSIONS: The protective effects of ischemic preconditioning during total hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury are dependent on IL-6 signaling and are associated with increased phosphorylation of hepatic STAT3.