Protective effect of prednisolone on ischemia-induced liver injury in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of prednisolone on cell membrane bleb formation, calpain mu activation and talin degradation during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.


METHODS
The hilar area of the left lateral and median lobes of rat liver (68%) was clamped for 60 min and followed by 120 min reperfusion. Prednisolone was administered at 1.0, 3.0, or 10 mg/kg at 30 min before ischemia. In addition to biochemical and microscopic analyses, activation of calpain micro was determined using specific antibodies against the intermediate (activated) form of calpain mu. Degradation of talin was also studied by Western blotting.


RESULTS
In the control and prednisolone (1.0 mg/kg) groups, serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) level were elevated, and cell membrane bleb formation was observed after 120 min of reperfusion. Moreover, calpain mu activation and talin degradation were detected. Infusion of prednisolone at 3.0 or 10 mg/kg significantly suppressed serum AST and ALT, and prevented cell membrane bleb formation. At 10 mg/kg, prednisolone markedly suppressed calpain mu activation and talin degradation.


CONCLUSIONS
Prednisolone can suppress ischemia-reperfusion injury of the rat liver. Its cytoprotective effect is closely associated with the suppression of calpain mu activation and talin degradation.
Wang
Meng
M
Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200438, China. drwangm@163.com
Shen
Feng
F
Shi
Le-Hua
LH
Xi
Tao
T
Li
Xi-Feng
XF
Chen
Xu
X
Wu
Meng-Chao
MC
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D002154:Calpain / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D007511:Ischemia; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000293:injuries* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015427:Reperfusion Injury; D016608:Talin / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D016608:Talin; D011239:Prednisolone; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D002154:Calpain