title: Interleukin 18--binding protein ameliorates liver ischemia--reperfusion injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effect of interleukin 18-binding protein (IL-18BP) on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced liver injury in experimental rat models. Liver is one of the most affected organs from I/R process. IL-18 is an important proinflammatory cytokine, which may induce some events such as production of reactive oxygen substances and release of various cytokines. IL-18BP acts as an inhibitor of IL-18. The relationship between IL-18 and IL-18BP has an important place in inflammatory process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were equally divided into three groups as follows: sham: Hepatic pedicle dissection was done, but hepatic pedicle clamping was not used. I/R: Sixty minutes of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion were applied. IR + IL-18BP: Recombinant human IL-18BP (100 μg/kg) was administered 30 min before the surgery. Hepatic pedicle was clamped during 60 min of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion was achieved.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Liver enzyme levels were significantly lower in the IR + IL-18BP group, when compared with the I/R group. Serum and tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6, and IL-18 were considerably lower in the IR + IL-18BP group, when compared with the I/R group, but hepatic interferon-γ and IL1β levels were not significant. Serum oxidative stress index level was significantly higher in the I/R group, when compared with the IR + IL-18BP group. In immunostaining, it was observed that pathologic changes were lower in IR + IL-18BP group than the I/R group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IL-18BP exhibited anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and protective effects in I/R-mediated hepatic injury via regulating some liver enzyme activities and cytokine levels. Additionally, these effects have been verified by histomorphologic examination and oxidative stress markers.
authors: Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. Electronic address: cerrahdoktor@gmail.com.
authors: Ahmet
authors: A
authors: Bal
authors: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
authors: Yucel
authors: Y
authors: Gonul
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Arts, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
authors: Omer
authors: O
authors: Hazman
authors: Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Dumlupinar University, Kütahya, Turkey.
authors: Ahmet
authors: A
authors: Kocak
authors: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet Fatih
authors: MF
authors: Bozkurt
authors: Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
authors: Sezgin
authors: S
authors: Yilmaz
authors: Department of Anesthesia and Reanimation, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
authors: Serdar
authors: S
authors: Kokulu
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
authors: Oya
authors: O
authors: Oruc
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Samsun Training and Education Hospital, Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Kasim
authors: K
authors: Demir
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C118370:interleukin-18 binding protein
keywords: IL-18; IL-18 binding protein; Ischemia; Liver; Reperfusion injury