Objective: To investigate the changes in serum malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatinine (Cr) after the reproduction of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury model, and the protective effects of liver and kidney with Xuebijing injection on acute I/R injury in rabbits.
Methods: Sixty rabbits were divided into six groups with a random number: A, normal group; B, sham operated group; C, model group, and D, E, F groups (Xuebijing low, middle, high dosage treatment groups). I/R injury model was reproduced (after a 4-hour ischemia, the femoral vessels were reperfusion). Physiological saline (2 ml/kg) or 0.33, 0.66 and 1.32 g/kg Xuebijing injection were given at 0, 12, 36, 60 hours after operation via ear vein. MDA, IL-1β, TNF-α, AST and Cr were determined at 6, 12, 24 and 72 hours after reperfusion in each group.
Results: MDA, IL-1β, TNF-α at different time points, AST and Cr at 72 hours after reperfusion in C group were significantly higher than those in A group and B group. Compared with the C group, the above indexes were gradually decreased with does-dependence, the values of MDA (μmol/L), IL-1β (ng/L) and TNF-α (μg/L) in serum of group F at 6, 12, 24 and 72 hours after reperfusion were significantly lower (MDA: 9.74 ± 3.71 vs. 12.35 ± 4.64, 11.26 ± 4.14 vs. 12.82 ± 3.85, 9.72 ± 2.25 vs. 13.30 ± 2.83, 9.12 ± 2.72 vs. 13.10 ± 2.72; IL-1β: 83.49 ± 12.79 vs. 100.09 ± 17.53, 85.10 ± 11.75 vs. 102.64 ± 19.64, 75.97 ± 11.29 vs. 99.24 ± 14.62, 81.96 ± 14.81 vs. 99.59 ± 12.05; TNF-α: 8.95 ± 1.13 vs. 9.94 ± 1.29, 8.79 ± 1.80 vs. 9.56 ± 0.89, 8.27 ± 1.83 vs. 9.51 ± 1.32, 7.23 ± 1.39 vs. 9.23 ± 1.05, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The values of AST(U/L) and Cr (μmol/L) in serum of groups D, E and F at 24 hours and 72 hours after reperfusion were significantly lower (AST 24 hours: 24.00 ± 1.27, 23.80 ± 1.11, 22.90 ± 1.65 vs. 39.50 ± 1.73, 72 hours: 32.15 ± 1.95, 32.90 ± 1.77, 32.25 ± 2.25 vs. 52.86 ± 2.43; Cr 24 hours: 273.78 ± 17.04, 267.07 ± 19.59, 265.25 ± 15.59 vs. 347.60 ± 18.83, 72 hours: 437.38 ± 18.48, 343.77 ± 16.79, 351.48 ± 20.22 vs. 437.50 ± 19.86, all P < 0.01).
Conclusions: It is demonstrated that I/R injury could dramatically lead to systemic inflammatory response and oxygen free radical injury. Xuebijing injection in higher dosage can reduce the systemic inflammatory response significantly, and also MDA level in serum. Xuebijing injection in low dosage, middle dosage and high dosage can produce protective effects against the damages to liver and kidney function.