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Attenuation of Ischemic Injury by N-Acetylcysteine Preconditioning of the Liver

Attenuation of Ischemic Injury by N-Acetylcysteine Preconditioning of the Liver

Authors :
Smyrniotis, Vassilios
Arkadopoulos, Nikolaos
Kostopanagiotou, Georgia
Theodoropoulos, Theodoros
Theodoraki, Kassiani
Farantos, Charalampos
Kairi, Evi
Paphiti, Agathi
Source :
Journal of Surgical Research. Nov2005, Vol. 129 Issue 1, p31-37. 7p.
Publication Year :
2005

Abstract

Background: Numerous previous studies have established the hepatoprotective properties of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). The present study was designed to investigate the effects of NAC on a warm hepatic ischemia–reperfusion rat model with a focus on the role of cAMP. Materials and methods: Fifty-six male Wistar rats were allocated randomly into the control group (n = 28) or the study group (group NAC, n = 28). Group NAC animals received an intravenous bolus dose of 0.3 mg/g NAC, whereas control animals were given an equal volume of normal saline. Subsequently, 60-min partial liver ischemia was induced by occlusion of blood inflow to the left and middle liver lobes. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and α-glutathione S-transferase levels, platelet aggregation, and ischemic tissue cyclic adenosine 5-monophosphate (cAMP) levels were examined at 30, 60, and 120 min after reperfusion. Parts of the ischemic liver were sampled at the same time-points. Measurements were obtained from seven animals at each time point. Results: The administration of NAC resulted in lower levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and α-glutathione S-transferase, decreased platelet aggregation, and increased levels of ischemic tissue cAMP at all time points after reperfusion. Histologically, fewer necrotic changes were observed in the NAC group at 60 and 120 min after reperfusion. All differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: In the present study, NAC seems to attenuate hepatic ischemia–reperfusion damage, as demonstrated by liver function tests and liver histology. The effects of NAC appear to be mediated by the decrease in platelet aggregation and increase in the levels of cAMP observed in ischemic liver tissue. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00224804
Volume :
129
Issue :
1
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Journal of Surgical Research
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
18953783
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2005.07.028