Protective effect of N2-mercaptopropionylglycine on rats and dogs liver during ischemia/reperfusion process.
BACKGROUND
N2-mercaptopropionylglycine is a powerful super oxide synthesis inhibitor and has been tested as a preventive agent of metabolic and structural hepatic damage in the ischemia/reperfusion process.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze some effects of N2-mercaptopropionylglycine administration to animals of two species submitted to normothermic liver ischemia/reperfusion.


METHODS
Twenty-two rats and 22 dogs were divided into four groups: group I: rats that received intravenous saline 0.9%; group II: rats that received 100 mg/kg of N2-mercaptopropionylglycine; group III: dogs that received saline intravenous 0.9% and group IV: dogs that received 100 mg/kg N2-mercaptopropionylglycine.


RESULTS
Ten minutes after the saline or drug administration, each group was submitted to left lobe liver ischemia for 25 minutes followed by reperfusion. Biochemical studies 24 hours after reperfusion revealed a significantly lower elevation of transaminases in animals of groups II (AST = 271 +/- 182; ALT = 261 +/- 161 ) and IV (AST = 101 +/- 45; ALT = 123 +/- 89) when compared to the controls group: I (AST = 2144 +/- 966; ALT = 1869 +/- 1040 00) and III (AST = 182 +/- 76.51; ALT = 277 +/- 219), respectively. Histology study demonstrated a significantly minor aggression to animals of groups II and IV when compared to groups I and III, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest a significant release of free radicals of oxygen in the process and that N2-mercaptopropionylglycine may have a significant protective effect on liver parenchyma when submitted to ischemia/reperfusion.
Abdo
Emilio Elias
EE
Surgical Division, Department of Gastroenterology, University Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Cunha
José Eduardo Monteiro
JE
Deluca
Pérsio
P
Coelho
Ana Maria Mendonça
AM
Bacchella
Telesforo
T
Machado
Marcel Cerqueira César
MC
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects; D004285:Dogs; D007511:Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008625:Tiopronin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D008625:Tiopronin; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase