Protective effects of prostaglandin E1 on normothermic liver ischemia.

Effects of treatment with prostaglandin E1 (PgE1) on normothermic liver ischemia were studied in male Lewis rats. Animals were subjected to 90 min of warm liver ischemia. Two groups of rats were constituted: group A (no treatment) and group B (PgE1 treatment). PgE1 (100 micrograms/kg) was given as a bolus 2 min before induction of ischemia and 2 min before the end of ischemia. Survival rates were assessed and, 6 h after the end of ischemia, serum transaminases, histology of the liver, Kupffer cell activity were evaluated. PgE1 treatment significantly improved survival rate (80%) in comparison with the nontreated group (40%). A significant reduction in transaminase levels was observed after PgE1 The extent of necrosis and congestion was improved by PgE1 treatment. Sheep red blood cell 51Cr liver uptake was deeply depressed 6 h after the end of ischemia in group A (6 +/- 2.3%/g tissue), and was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) after PgE1 administration in group B (32.98 +/- 11.7%/g tissue). Our results demonstrate that PgE1 is able to protect the liver from ischemic insult. The mechanism by which prostaglandins exert this beneficial effect on normothermic liver ischemia may be related to their action on hepatic macrophages.