Polyenylphosphatidylcholine pretreatment protects rat liver from ischemia/reperfusion injury

Background

Hepatic injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion following surgery, transplantation, or circulatory shock combined with resuscitation is a major clinical problem. Polyenylphosphatidylcholine (PPC) has strong antioxidant, cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.

Aim

In this study, the influence of PPC pretreatment on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury of the liver was examined in rats.

Methods

The animals were divided into three groups: control (n = 10), I/R (n = 15) and I/R + PPC (n = 15). PPC was given 100 mg/day for 7 days before experiment. Several parameters of hepatic damage, oxidative stress, neutrophil infiltration and nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) expression were measured as well as microscopic examination.

Results

We observed that a significant reduction in AST and ALT values in the PPC treated group when compared with the ischemic group. The increases in hepatic total NO₂ + NO₃ and MDA, and decreases in SOD and GSH levels after reperfusion were partially, but significantly, inhibited by PPC pretreatment. I/R induced increase in hepatic myeloperoxidase content and NF-κB expression were also lowered by PPC pretreatment. Animals pretreated with PPC presented minimal hemorrhage and reduced signs of liver injury.

Conclusion

PPC pretretament provided significant protection againts I/R injury to the liver. This treatment could be therapeutic in liver transplantation and other conditions associated with I/R injury.