Effects of the free radical scavenger dimethyl sulphoxide on experimental normothermic ischaemia of the liver.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the effects of intermittent or continuous hepatic ischaemia and reperfusion with or without dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) pre-treatment in a rat ischaemic model.


METHODS
One hundred and eighty rats were divided into three groups undergoing hepatic ischaemia of a total duration of 60, 90 and 120 min. Each group of rats was subdivided to receive either a continuous Pringle manoeuvre or intermittent liver pedicle clamping of 30 or 15 min. Ten minutes before ischaemia induction, 10 rats from each group were pre-treated with DMSO (500 mg/kg, b.w.) intravenously.


RESULTS
With continuous hepatic pedicle clamping, survival rates inversely correlated with the duration of ischaemia, with greater survival in the intermittently clamped groups (p < 0.05). DMSO pre-treatment did not affect survival but resulted in a significant reduction in liver enzyme (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase) release on the first postoperative day following total ischaemic times of 90 min or greater (p < 0.05). After 120 min of total ischaemia, DMSO pre-treatment resulted in higher preservation of adenosine 5'-triphosphate liver content (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
DMSO may be used to prolong tolerance to inflow occlusion and to limit the adverse effects of ischaemia and reperfusion cycles in an experimental hepatic ischaemia model.
Chiappa
Antonio
A
European Institute of Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. antoni.chiappa@unimi.it
Makuuchi
Masatoshi
M
Zbar
Andrew P
AP
Biella
Francesca
F
Bellomi
Massimo
M
Biffi
Roberto
R
Bertani
Emilio
E
Vezzoni
Aldo
A
Crosta
Cristiano
C
Andreoni
Bruno
B
D000818:Animals; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide