Protective effect of methylprednisolone on warm ischemia-reperfusion injury in a cholestatic rat liver.
BACKGROUND
Cholestasis has been identified as a risk factor for oxidative stress, and it potentially enhances after ischemic-reperfusion injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of methylprednisolone on warm ischemia-reperfusion injury in the presence of cholestasis.


METHODS
A reversible cholestatic rat model was created. After 7 days, rats received 30 mg/kg of intravenous methylprednisolone 2 hours before ischemia, followed by 30 minutes of ischemia. Rats were euthanized 24 hours after ischemia. Serum aspartate aminotransferase and interleukin-6 were measured, and the liver was harvested for histology and myeloperoxidase estimation.


RESULTS
Methylprednisolone had a protective effect, with a statistically significant decrease in aspartate aminotransferase (P=.01) and a trend toward decreased levels of interleukin-6 (P=.07). Histology showed a significant difference in architectural distortion (P=.01), cytoplasmic vacuolation (P=.01), and nodular hepatocellular necrosis (P=.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Methylprednisolone attenuated the ischemic-reperfusion injury in the presence of cholestasis and can be considered for clinical use in the presence of cholestasis.
Subhas
Gokulakkrishna
G
Department of Surgery, Providence Hospital and Medical Centers, Southfield, MI, USA.
Gupta
Aditya
A
Bakston
Daniel
D
Silberberg
Boris
B
Lobocki
Cathy
C
Andrus
Lee
L
Decker
Melissa
M
Mittal
Vijay K
VK
Jacobs
Michael J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000150:complications*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D052096:Warm Ischemia
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008775:Methylprednisolone