Objective: To investigate the protective effect of pretreatment with Kupffer cell mediated emulsified isoflurane on ischemia/reperfusion injury in liver.
Methods: Thirty-two SD rats underwent partial obstruction of liver blood flow for 30 m and were randomly divided into 4 equal groups during the operation: lipid emulsion control group (Group C, pretreated with intravenous injection of lipid emulsion), inhibition of Kupffer cell and preconditioning with lipid emulsion control group (Group KC, intraperitoneally injected with gadolinium chloride, inhibitor of Kupffer cells, and then pretreated with intravenous injection of lipid emulsion), preconditioning with emulsified isoflurane group (Group IP, intravenously injected with emulsified isoflurane), and Inhibition of Kupffer cells and preconditioning with isoflurane group (Group IK, intraperitoneally injected with gadolinium chloride and then intravenously injected with emulsified isoflurane), Then liver perfusion was recovered for 2 h and the rats were killed. Blood samples were collected from the vena cava to detect the serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). Specimens of left liver tissue were collected to undergo light microscopy. The contents of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver homogenate were examined with relevant kits.
Results: Compared with Group C, the serum ALT and AST of Group IP were significantly lower (both P < 0.05). The MDA level of Group IP was significantly lower than that of Group C, and the SOD level of Group IP was significantly higher than that of Group C (both P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the serum levels of ALT and AST and levels of MDA and SOD in lever homogenate among Group KC, IK, and C. The pathological changes in liver were remarkably milder in Group IP then in Group C, however, there were no significant differences in the pathological changes among Groups KC, IK, and C.
Conclusion: Preconditioning with emulsified isoflurane protects the liver from ischemia/reperfusion injury and this effect me be mediated by Kupffer cells.