Effects of plant extract neferine on cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels in rabbit corpus cavernosum in vitro

Aim： To further investigate the relaxation mechanism of neferine （NED, a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid extracted （isolated） from the green seed embryo of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn in China, on rabbit corpus cavernosum tissue in vitro. Methods： The effects of Nef on the concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP） and cyclic guanosine monophosphate （cGMP） in isolated and incubated rabbit corpus cavernosum tissue were recorded using ^125I radioimmunoassay. Results： The basal concentration of cAMP in corpus cavernosum tissue was 5.67 ± 0.97 pmol/mg. Nef increased the cAMP concentration in a dose-dependent manner （P 〈 0.05）, but this effect was not inhibited by an adenylate cyclase inhibitor （cis-N-[2-phenylcyclopentyl]azacyclotridec-1-en-2-amine, MDL-12, 330A） （P 〉 0.05）. The accumulation of cAMP induced by prostaglandin Et （PGEt, a stimulator of cAMP production） was also augmented by Nef in a dose-dependent manner （P 〈 0.05）. The basal concentration of cGMP in corpus cavernosum tissue is 0.44 ± 0.09 pmol/mg. Nef did not affect this concentration of cGMP, either in the presence or in the absence of a guanyl cyclase inhibitor （1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, ODQ） （P 〉 0.05）. Also, sodium nitroprusside （SNP, a stimulator of cGMP production）-induced cGMP production was not enhanced by Nef （P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion： Nef, with its relaxation mechanism, can enhance the concentration of cAMP in rabbit corpus cavernosum tissue, probably by inhibiting phosphodiesterase activity. （Asian JAndro12008 Mar; 10： 307-312）     

Effect of nitric oxide in ischemia/reperfusion of the pancreas

BACKGROUND: Ischemia/reperfusion injury, and thus graft pancreatitis, remains a major problem in pancreas transplantation. Contradictory results about the role of nitric oxide (NO) in pancreatic ischemia/reperfusion have been reported; however, in none of the reports has a detailed comparison between inhibition of NO synthase and NO supplementation been carried out. METHODS: Vascular isolation of the pancreatic tail was performed in landrace pigs. After splenectomy catheters placed in the distal part of the splenic vessels allowed collection of the venous effluent and perfusion of the pancreatic tail. Three hours of complete warm ischemia was followed by 6 h of reperfusion. The effect of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and L-arginine was compared to a control group and NO synthase inhibition with L-NAME. RESULTS: Lipase in the venous effluent of the pancreas was significantly decreased in the SNP and the L-arginine groups. Vascular resistance was markedly elevated in the L-NAME group and reduced in the NO donor groups. Tissue pO2 after reperfusion was only significantly elevated in the SNP group. Granulocyte infiltration and also overall histological tissue injury were most severe in the control group followed by the L-NAME group, the SNP group, and the L-ARG group. CONCLUSION: The data show that supplementation of nitric oxide is clearly protective in pancreatic ischemia/reperfusion. However, inhibition of NO synthesis does not lead to an equally clear aggravation of tissue injury.     

Mycophenolate mofetil attenuates liver ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has been gradually introduced into clinical liver transplantation in recent years. However, the effects of MMF on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and the potential mechanisms involved are not totally understood. We aimed to evaluate whether MMF could attenuate hepatic I/R injury. MMF (20 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered to Wistar rats by gavage. The rats were then subjected to hepatic ischemia. Liver cell apoptosis and the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, myeloperoxidase (MPO), xanthine oxidase (XOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined. Expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were also investigated. Furthermore, the hepatic microcirculation was observed by intravital fluorescence microscopy. Rats pretreated with MMF exhibited significant alleviation of their postischemic liver function. Liver cell apoptosis and the tissue MPO, XOD and MDA levels were decreased by MMF pretreatment. MMF also improved I/R-induced hemodynamic turbulence, as evidenced by reduced hepatic perfusion failure and decreased numbers of rolling and adherent leukocytes. I/R injury induced activation of the MAPKs pathway while expression of VCAM-1 was downregulated by MMF pretreatment. In summary, MMF attenuates hepatic I/R injury through suppression of the production of reactive oxygen species and amelioration of postischemic microcirculatory disturbances.     

Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase reduces renal ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND: The role of nitric oxide (NO) production because of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the pathogenesis of renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is unclear. In this study the roles of both iNOS and NO were characterized in a rat model of renal I/R injury. In addition, the effect of iNOS inhibition on renal function was evaluated. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 45 min of left renal ischemia and contralateral nephrectomy followed by various periods of reperfusion and renal function analysis [plasma creatinine, fractional excretion of sodium (FENa), creatinine clearance (CrCl), and measurement of plasma and urine NO levels]. In addition, the effect of treatment with 1400W, a highly selective iNOS inhibitor, was evaluated. RESULTS: Renal dysfunction peaked at 48 h after reperfusion and immunohistochemistry studies revealed iNOS expression in the vasculature (3 h) and renal tubules (48 h) after reperfusion. Renal function improved significantly in treated animals compared to controls [creatinine of 1.1 v. 1.9 mg/dl (P < 0.05) and CrCl of 0.54 v. 0.31 ml/min (P < 0.05), respectively]. In addition, FENa was decreased by 50%, plasma NO levels were significantly lower (32.7 v. 45.7 micromol/L, P < 0.01), and deposition of nitrotyosine in the tubules of treated rats was less than in control animals. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the hypothesis that iNOS and NO are involved in the pathogenesis of renal I/R injury and suggests that use of iNOS inhibitors may be a valuable therapeutic strategy clinical situations where renal I/R may be prevalent.     

电针对脑缺血/再灌注损伤的神经保护的研究进展

背景 中国针灸用于中风等神经系统疾病的治疗有悠久的历史和丰富的临床经验.电针是传统针灸与现代电学技术相结合的治疗方式,它对脑缺血/再灌注损伤(ischemia/reperfusion injury,I/RI)的病理演变有重要影响.目的 探讨电针的神经保护及其机制.内容 依照脑I/RI的病理生理机制,分析与总结电针对脑I/RI的保护作用及其机制. 趋向 电针在运用补充与替代疗法预防、治疗或辅助治疗脑I/RI方面有良好的发展前景.     

甘露醇对脑缺血/再灌注损伤后干预效果评价的实验研究

目的 探索脑缺血/再灌注损伤(ischemia/reperfusion injury,I/RI)后甘露醇干预的最佳时机.方法 健康昆明小鼠36只,制备I/RI模型后,按随机数字表法分为6组(每组6只):假手术组(A组)、对照组即I/RI组(B组)和再灌注即刻、30 min、1、1.5 h甘露醇干预组(分别为C、D、E和...     

Kupffer细胞在肝移植缺血再灌注损伤中的双重作用

Kupffer细胞足定居于肝内的巨细胞,在月十移植缺血再灌注损伤中发挥着重要的作用,门静脉恢复血流后刺激Kupffer细胞激活,释放活性氧族、多种炎性介质和细胞因子,对肝脏造成损伤.另一方面又可上调HO-1的表达,保护肝脏缺血再灌注损伤,因此,Kupffer细胞在肝移植缺血再灌注损伤中发挥着双重效应.     

The effects of intraportal administration of prostaglandin E1 on liver ischemia and hepatectomy in rats

The effects of intraportal administration of prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) on portal venous flow, hepatic arterial flow, peripheral tissue blood flow, and systemic arterial flow before and after 60 min total liver ischemia followed by 70% partial hepatectomy in rats were investigated. Total liver ischemia was induced by occluding the hepatoduodenal ligament for 60 min. PGE₁ at a dose of 0.5 μg/kg/min was infused intraportally for 15 min before inducing hepatic ischemia (preischemic period) and for 60 min after ischemia (postischemic reperfusion period) in the treatment group. Normal saline was infused in the control group. Seventy percent partial hepatectomy was performed during ischemia. Serum biochemical analysis and liver tissue histology were carried out 1, 3, and 24 h, and 1 and 24 h after reperfusion respectively. One-week survival of the PGE₁ group was improved to 70% compared to that of the control group of 30%. Postischemia reperfusion values of portal and peripheral tissue blood flows in the PGE₁ group were 6.33 ± 0.600 ml/min and 27.2 ± 23.5 (arbitrary), and were significantly different from those of the control group of 4.34 ± 0.400 ml/min and 23.5 ± 5.54 (arbitrary), respectively. There was no significant difference in hepatic arterial flow between the two groups. Serum alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly in the prostaglandin group. Histological examination revealed a significant portal venous congestion in the control group 1 and 24 h after reperfusion. The extent of the sinusoidal congestion was also severe in the control group 24 h after reperfusion. It was concluded that PGE₁ has a protective effect against liver damage when the liver was injured by warm ischemia and reperfusion followed by partial resection. Received for publication on May 30, 1997; accepted on July 27, 1998     

阿片类药物减轻急性缺血/再灌注损伤及相关机制

背景 缺血预处理对于器官缺血/再灌注损伤（ischemia/reperfusion injury,I/RI）具有强大的保护作用,但其临床应用受到时机以及伦理学的限制.近年来有研究发现阿片类药物预处理以及后处理对组织器官I/RI同样具有保护作用,其既不损伤器官又能产生与缺血预处理相同的效果,是更为可行的治疗措施. 目的 在将阿片类药物处理推广至临床应用前,仍需进行更多大规模的临床研究.拟就阿片类处理减轻I/RI的发展过程及其作用机制进行探讨. 内容 阿片类药物处理I/RI的几种方式及其机制. 趋向 阿片类药物处理比较其他损伤性处理方式更易操作,且对I/RI同样具有保护作用,有望成为日后治疗的热点之一.     

Protective effects of propofol against ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat kidneys

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the efficiency of propofol in the reduction of injury induced by free radicals in a rat model of renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Method: Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups in our study. Rats in the sham group underwent laparotomy and were made to wait for 120 min without ischemia. Rats in the control group were given nothing with ischemia–reperfusion. Rats in the I/R groups were given propofol (25 mg/kg) and 10% intralipid (250 mg/kg) ip, respectively, 15 min before the ischemia for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 60 min. The kidney tissues of the rats were taken under anesthesia at the end of the reperfusion period. Evaluation of biochemical malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities and histopathological analysis were performed with these samples. Results: I/R significantly increased MDA levels (p < 0.05). Histopathological findings of the control group confirmed that there was renal impairment by tubular cell swelling, interstitial edema, medullary congestion, and tubular dilatation. MDA levels were lower in the propofol group compared to control group (p < 0.05). In the propofol group, the level of histopathological scores is significantly decreased than control and intralipid groups in ischemia–reperfusion. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that I/R injury was significantly reduced in the presence of propofol. The protective effects of propofol may be due to their antioxidant properties. These results may indicate that propofol anesthesia protects against functional, biochemical, and morphological damage better than control in renal I/R injury.     

瘦素在肝缺血/再灌注致肾损伤中作用的研究

目的：研究瘦素（Leptin）在肝缺血/再灌注（I/R）后肾组织中的表达变化,探讨其与肝I/R介导的肾损伤的关系。方法：建立大鼠70%肝I/R模型,设立假手术和缺血60min后再灌注60、150、240、360min组,观察肾脏的病理学变化,检测各组血清尿酸、总抗氧化能力,肾Leptin蛋白及其mRNA表达的变化。结果：与假手术组比较,缺血60min/再灌注150min及再灌注240min组血清尿酸显著升高,以再灌注240min升高最为显著;再灌注240min和360min组血清总抗氧化能力显著升高,以再灌注240min升高最为显著;再灌注150、240和360min组肾Leptin蛋白表达显著升高,再灌注60、240、360min组肾LeptinmRNA表达显著升高,而再灌注150min组LeptinmRNA显著降低。病理学观察提示肝I/R早期的肾损伤较重而后期显著减轻。结论：Leptin在肝I/R后肾组织内的表达变化与肾损伤密切相关,提示它可能作为一种保护因子对抗肝I/R介导的肾损伤。     

Renal damage in rats induced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion: Role of nitric oxide

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) causes renal damage. However, the mechanism underlying this damage in kidneys during revascularization of myocardium is unclear. Direct renal ischemia/reperfusion has been implicated in the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) that leads to increase production of nitric oxide (NO). Recently, excessive production of NO has been found to be involved in causing renal injury by formatting peroxinitrite (ONOO(-)). The aim of this study was to investigate whether NO has a role in this damage, using aminoguanidine (AMG), a known iNOS inhibitor and an antioxidant, in rats undergoing MI/R. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were used for the experiments (n = 7 each group). In the MI/R group, the left coronary artery was occluded for 30 min and then reperfused for 120 min; the same procedure was used for the AMG group, with the additional step of AMG (200 mg/kg) administered 10 min prior to ischemia. A control group underwent sham operation. At the end of the reperfusion period, all rats were killed and their kidneys removed for biochemical determination and histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in the rat kidney was accompanied by a significant increase in malondialdehyde and NO production, and a decrease in glutathione content. Administration of AMG reduced malondialdehyde and NO production and prevented depletion of glutathione content. These beneficial changes in the biochemical parameters were also associated with parallel changes in histopathological appearance. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that MI/R plays a causal role in kidney injury and AMG exerts renal-protective effects, probably by inhibiting NO production and antioxidant activities.     

甘氨酸和丙酮酸对于局部缺血再灌注后的全身性保护作用

目的 肠系膜上动脉缺血/再灌注可引起小肠局部损伤,甚至休克和心肺功能障碍。丙酮酸和甘氨酸已被证实对缺血再灌注损伤的局部组织器官有保护作用。本文研究其对小肠缺血再灌注之后全身血流动力学以及心肺功能等的影响。方法 采用雄性SD大鼠,麻醉后建立血流动力学监测,建立肠系膜上动脉缺血90 min、再灌注120 min的模型。24只大鼠随机分为4组：丙酮酸组（再灌注前给予丙酮酸50 mg/kg,n=6）;甘氨酸组（再灌注前给予甘氨酸20 mg/kg,n=6）;林格组（再灌注前给予林格氏液1 mL,n=6）;假手术对照组（n=6）。术中记录平均动脉压、心脏指数、肺动脉压等,并估计循环血管阻力。采集动脉血进行血气分析和心肌标志物检测。观察结束后处死大鼠,取小肠、心脏、肺脏、肝脏进行组织学观察。结果 丙酮酸和甘氨酸均能有效稳定血流动力学参数,维持较好的心功能。其中甘氨酸组复苏所需晶体体积显著少于对照组。丙酮酸、甘氨酸对代谢性酸中毒的抑制作用明显优于林格氏液（P<0.01）。甘氨酸组的小肠、肺、心、肝病理评分和中性粒细胞浸润明显低于林格组（P<0.01）,但仍高于假手术组（P<0.01）。丙酮酸组、甘氨酸组CKMB、肌钙蛋白I水平低于林格组,但仍高于假手术组（P<0.01）。结论 丙酮酸和甘氨酸能在严重的局部缺血再灌注之后稳定全身循环状态,改善休克的复苏效果,既可减轻局部组织器官的缺血再灌注损伤,又可保护心肺等器官的功能。     

Role of leukotrienes on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND: Leukotrienes (LT), composed of cysteinyl LT (cLT; LTC(4), LTD(4), and LTE(4)) and LTB(4), are potent lipid mediators enhancing the vascular permeability and recruitment of neutrophils, which are common features of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The aim of this study was to investigate whether LT can mediate the liver and lung injuries following hepatic I/R. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 90 min of partial hepatic ischemia followed by 3, 12, and 24 h of reperfusion. In the hepatic and pulmonary tissues, LT content and the mRNA expression of LT-synthesis enzymes, 5-lypoxygenase (5-LO), LTC(4) synthase (LTC(4)-S), and LTA(4) hydrolase (LTA(4)-H) were measured. Tissue injuries were assessed by plasma ALT, histological examination, and wet-to-dry tissue weight ratios. RESULTS: The cLT content in the hepatic tissue after 12 and 24 h reperfusion was increased 4- to 5-fold compared to controls and this was accompanied by the enhancement of hepatic edema and plasma ALT elevation. There were no significant changes in the mRNA expression of LT-synthesis enzymes in both tissues. LTB(4) levels were not increased despite a significant neutrophil infiltration in both tissues. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that cLT are generated in the liver during the reperfusion period and may contribute to the development of hepatic edema and exert cytotoxicity. Factors other than LTB(4) may contribute to neutrophil infiltration.     

L-精氨酸对大鼠胰腺移植缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及其机制

目的探讨L-精氨酸（L-Arginine，L-Arg）对大鼠胰腺移植缺血再灌注（I／R）损伤的影响及其机制。方法SD大鼠作为供、受体行胰腺移植术，给予不同方式处理：假手术组（Sham）：只行开腹术；对照组（Control）：只行胰腺移植术，不行预处理；缺血预处理组（IPC）：在供胰切取前阻断血供10min，然后再灌注10min；L-精氨酸组（L-Arg）：行胰腺移植术，再灌注前先经下腔静脉注射L-Arg 10mg／kg体重；L-硝基精氨酸甲酯组（L-NAME）：供胰切取时阻断血供10min，再灌注10min；然后行移植术，在再灌注前，先经下腔静脉缓慢注射L-NAME 10mg／kg体重。各组手术完成后，于再灌注6h检测血清淀粉酶、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）和一氧化氮（NO）水平，胰腺细胞凋亡指数、胰腺细胞bcl-2蛋白表达情况和胰腺组织病理改变。结果L-Arg和IPC都降低TNF-α水平（P〈0．01）和细胞凋亡水平（P〈0．01），NO水平升高（P〈0．01）。而L-NAME可阻断该保护效应。IPC和L-Arg均能激活bcl-2蛋白的表达。结论L-Arg可以模拟IPC对大鼠胰腺移植I／R损伤的保护作用，其机制与合成NO，激活bcl-2基因的表达有关。     

氯胺酮对大鼠全肝缺血/再灌注后肺损伤的保护作用及机制

目的 观察10 mg/kg氯胺酮对于大鼠全肝缺血/再灌注诱发的急性肺损伤保护作用及其机制.方法 30只9～10周龄雌性SD大鼠以区组随机法随机分为3组(每组10只),假手术组(Sham组),全肝缺血/再灌注组(IR组)以pringle's法阻断门静脉和肝动脉30 min后再灌注1h.全肝缺血/再灌注氯胺酮预处理组(Ket组),以10 mg/kg氯胺酮于全肝血流阻断前20 min经尾静脉注射预处理.测定各组肺组织干湿重比值(W/D比值);血清中天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)含量;逆转录/实时聚合酶链式反应( RT-PCR)法测定肺组织中血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)mRNA、细胞间黏附分子-1( ICAM-1 )mRNA含量;Western blot法测定肺组织中核因子-kb( NF-kJ )/P65含量;各组肺组织HE染色后病理评分.结果 血清AST、ALT含量:IR组[AST:(91±25)U/ml,ALT:(67.0±19.4) U/ml]和Ket组[AST:(85±12) U/ml,ALT:(51.3±9.9) U/ml]均高于Sham组[AST:(29±9) U/ml,ALT:(7.8±2.7) U/ml] (P＜0.05).血清TNF-α、ICAM-1含量:IR组[TNF.α:(23.1±4.8) μg/L,ICAM-1:(34±9)μg/L]和Ket组[TNF-α:(19.1+5.8)μg/L,ICAM-1:(41±7) μg/L]均高于Sham组[TNF-α:(8.7±2.4) μg/L,ICAM-1:(13±5)μg/L](P＜0.05).而Ket组和IR组之间无统计学差异(P＞0.05).W/D比值:IR组(6.9±1.7)和Ket组(5.1±1.1)高于Sham组(3.7±0.7)(P＜0.05),IR组高于Ket组(P＜0.05).肺组织中TNF-α mRNA、ICAM-1 mRNA和NF-kb/P65含量:IR组[TNF-α mRNA:(2.91±0.49)μg/L,ICAM-1 mRNA:(2.39±0.58) μg/L,NF-kb/P65:(1.97±0.17) μg/L]高于Sham组[TNF-αmRNA:(1.75±0.29) μg/L,ICAM-1 mRNA:( 1.63±0.33) μg/L,NF-kb/P65:(1.06±0.24) μg/L]和Ket组[TNF-α mRNA:(2.19±0.52) μg/L,ICAM-1 mRNA:(1.78±0.28)μg/L,NF-kb/P65:(1.33±0.30μg/L](P＜0.05).Sham组和Ket组之间无统计学差异(p＞0.05).肺组织病理评分:Sham组低于IR组和Ket组(P＜0.05),Ket组低于IR组(P＜0.05).相关性:TNF-α mRNA与NF-kb/P65正相关,R=0.849(P＜0.05),ICAM-1 mRNA与NF-kb/P65正相关,R=0.639(P＜0.05).结论 10 mg/kg氯胺酮20 min前预处理对于全肝缺血/再灌注肺损伤有保护作用.     

Melatonin ameliorates renal ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND: We studied whether melatonin is able to reduce organ damage during renal ischemia/reperfusion via its effects on the oxidative response in early and late reperfusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) was induced in two groups of rats by 75 min occlusion of the left renal artery and vein and right nephrectomy, followed by reperfusion. The formation of reactive oxygen species was evaluated in the early reperfusion phase (60 min) by lipid peroxidation products and glutathione assay. In the late reperfusion phase (24 h) tissue neutrophil infiltration, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression, and histopathology were evaluated. Groups received either systemic melatonin (MEL) or normal saline (NS). There were two nonischemic sham control groups, one with and another without melatonin (S+MEL and S). RESULTS: Creatinine was higher in the NS group at all times. A reduction in glutathione and increases in lipid peroxidation products and myeloperoxidase activity induced by I/R indicated renal injury involving reactive oxygen formation. Melatonin reversed this oxidant response and reduced the rise in creatinine and iNOS expression. Seven-day group survivals were 5/10 for NS, 8/10 for MEL, and 10/10 for both Sham groups. CONCLUSIONS: Exogenous melatonin is able to preserve renal functional status following I/R-induced injury by increasing glutathione and reducing lipid peroxidation in the early reperfusion phase, without any apparent effect on neutrophil infiltration in the late reperfusion phase.     

肢体缺血预处理减轻肝缺血/再灌注损伤的研究进展

背景 肝缺血/再灌注损伤(hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury,HI/RI)是肝外科手术及肝移植中常见的病理生理现象,是术后肝功能衰竭和移植物无功能的主要原因.研究表明肢体缺血预处理(limb ischemia preconditioning,LIPC)可减轻HI/RI,具体机制仍不清楚.目的 通过综述LIPC减轻HI/R1的可能机制,为临床减轻HI/RI提供新的思路.内容 介绍HI/RI机制及LIPC减轻HI/RI的可能作用机制.趋向 LIPC作为减轻HI/RI的措施具有重大的临床应用价值.     

Danshen protects liver grafts from ischemia/reperfusion injury in experimental liver transplantation in rats

Reperfusion injury remains one of the major problems in transplantation. Free radicals and disturbance of microcirculation are the supposed main contributors. Recent evidence shows that Danshen, a traditional Chinese drug used in vascular diseases, can scavenge radicals and improve microcirculation. This study investigates its effect on liver transplantation (LTx). Before organ recovery, female Sprague-Dawley rats (210–240 g) received intravenous Danshen or the same volume of Ringer solution as control. LTx was performed after 1 h of cold storage. Microperfusion, leukocyte-endothelium interaction and latex-bead phagocytosis were evaluated with in vivo microscopy. Survival, transaminases and histology were assessed. Immunohistology was used for TNF-α levels. anova and Fisher's exact test were employed for statistical analyses as appropriate. Survival increased from 60% in controls to 100% ( P  < 0.05). AST and LDH decreased from 3969 ± 1255 U/l and 15444 ± 5148 U/l in controls to 1236 ± 410 U/l and 5039 ± 1594 U/l, respectively ( P  < 0.05). In vivo microscopy revealed decreased leukocyte-adherence and increased blood flow velocity in sinusoidal zones after administration of Danshen ( P  < 0.05), while latex-bead phagocytosis was found in 60% of controls ( P  < 0.05). The TNF-α index decreased from 2.08 ± 0.09 in controls to 1.09 ± 0.09 ( P  < 0.05). This study clearly demonstrates hepatoprotective effects after experimental LTx, which can be explained via anti-oxidative effects, improved microcirculation and decreased Kupffer cell activation.