Liver and lung late alterations following hepatic reperfusion associated to ischemic preconditioning or N-acetylcysteine

• Published in: Microsurgery 2007, Vol.27 (4), p.295-299
• Main Authors: Galhardo, Maria Aparecida, Júnior, Claudemiro Quireze, Navarro, Pedro Gabriel Riboli, Morello, Ricardo José, De Jesus Simões, Manuel, De Souza Montero, Edna Frasson
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetylcysteine - therapeutic use; Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases - blood; Free Radical Scavengers - therapeutic use; Ischemic Preconditioning - methods; Liver - blood supply; Liver - pathology; Liver Circulation - physiology; Lung - blood supply; Lung - pathology; Male; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reperfusion Injury - pathology; Reperfusion Injury - prevention & control; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0738-1085; 1098-2752
• DOI: 10.1002/micr.20359

This study aimed the effect of n‐acetylcysteine or ischemic preconditioning in hepatic and pulmonary damage after liver ischemia‐reperfusion injury. Twenty‐four male Wistar‐EPM rats were assigned into four groups: (IR) Hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion; (IPC) IPC achieved before hepatic ischemia; (NAC) Animals received NAC pretreatment; and Sham operated group. After 24 h of hepatic reperfusion, blood, liver, and pulmonary samples were evaluated. Nonparametric tests were used (P ≤ 0.05). Aspartate aminotransferase levels were similar among experimental groups. Lower alanine aminotrasnferase levels were observed in sham group (P = 0.04). IPC and NAC groups prevented from necrosis (P = 0.027), apoptosis (P = 0.003), and microvesicular steatosis (P = 0.0007), but not from neutrophil infiltration in liver tissue. IPC and NAC treatment reduced alveolar septal edema (P = 0.014), but did not prevent from neutrophil infiltration or vascular congestion. In conclusion, IPC and NAC attenuated hepatic and pulmonary damage after hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion injury. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 2007.