Background: We tested the effectiveness of ischemic postconditioning (iPoC) in mitigating ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury of liver and the mechanism involves inhibiting the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP).
Methods: iPoC, performed by three cycles of 1 min I/R of the liver, was tested on a partial liver I/R model on rats. The serum alanine transaminase levels, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining, cytochrome c release, the formation of 4-hydroxy-2-nonnenal-modified proteins, and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) were measured. Atractyloside (ATR) and NIM811, which modify the opening of mPTP, were administered in selected groups.
Results: iPoC, and NIM811, diminished the elevation of serum alanine transaminase level after I/R injury (174.0±28.3 U/L for iPoC; 94.3±25.4 U/L for control+NIM811) when compared with others (416.3±16.7 U/L for control, 557.0±86.7 U/L for iPoC+ATR, P<0.05). The expressions of cytosolic cytochrome c after I/R injury were decreased in iPoC and control+NIM811 groups when compared with others. After I/R, the apoptosis and the 4-hydroxy-2-nonnenal-modified proteins were attenuated in iPoC group when compared (apoptotic counts/50 HPF: 723.3±98.7 for iPoC, 1274±201.2 for control, 1057.6±39 for iPoC+ATR, P<0.05). The Δψm measured by flow cytometry was better preserved in iPoC and NIM811 groups.
Conclusions: iPoC attenuated cell deaths after I/R injury of liver. The protective effects were negated by the addition of ATR--a mPTP opener--and mimicked by injection of NIM811--a mPTP opening inhibitor. The study indicated iPoC conferred protection by modulating mPTP.