title: Heme oxygenase 1 expression in postischemic reperfusion liver damage: effect of L-arginine.
abstract: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a multifactorial process that affects liver function after transplantation and resectional surgery. Alterations in hepatic microcirculation and decreased hepatic flow can cause local hypoxia and consequently liver damage, which is worsened by reperfusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate if treatment with L-arginine improved hepatic function in rats with I/R injury. Animals were treated with L-arginine, ischemized for 30 min, and reperfused for 3 h. Plasmatic levels of GOT, GPT, lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), and total thiol groups (RSH) were evaluated. In addition, we analyzed hepatic LOOH and RSH levels, DNA fragmentation, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) expression, and histological modifications. Our results demonstrate a significant improvement in hepatic function of I/R rats compared to the control group. Treatment with L-arginine increased the expression of HO-1. These data suggest that L-arginine could be useful in preventing oxidative damage during hepatic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Organ Transplantation, and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lanteri
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Acquaviva
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Giacomo
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caltabiano
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li Destri
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vanella
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santangelo
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lanzafame
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Cataldo
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000378:metabolism; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D001120:Arginine; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase