17 β-estradiol protects the liver against ischemia reperfusion injury in rat liver transplantation GAO

Abstract

Objective To investigate the protective effects of 17β-estradiol on ischemia reperfusion injury in rat liver transplantation. Methods The rats were divided into three groups: male to male group(MG), female to female group (FG), and male to male group which were given 17β-estradiol 4000 μg/kg 24 hours before liver transplantation intraperitoneally (M + EG). Then transplantation was performed. At 6 hours after portal vein reperfusion, blood samples were obtained to determine the levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and nitric oxide(NO). The expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in liver were observed by immunohistochemistry. Results ALT and AST levels in the M+EG group were lower than those in MG and FG (561. 69 U/L vs 730. 78 U/L and 678. 82 U/L; 726. 44 U/L vs 914. 21 U/L and 861. 86 U/L). The NO level (63. 54 μmol/L) was much higher than those in the MG and FG groups. The expression of eNOS in the M+EG group was higher than those in MG and FG, while the expression of iNOS in M+EG were lower than those in MG. and FG. Conclusion 17β-estradiol can attenuate ischemia reperfusion injury in rat liver transplantation by improving the balance of eNOS and iNOS. Key words: Estradiol; Liver transplantation; Ischemia reperfusion injury; Nitric oxide synthase