Effect of hydrogen sulfide on fatty liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the role of hydrogen sulfide in fatty liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Methods Eighteen healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed on high fat diet for 4 weeks, and then divided into three groups according to the method of random number table, sham operation group (S group), ischemia-reperfusion group (IR group) and sodium hydrosulfide group (NaHS group). In S group hepatic portal was only exposed but not ligated. In IR group hepatic portal vein and hepatic artery of the left and middle lobes were clamped for 1 h and then reperfused. NaHS group received intravenous injection of NaHS (28 μmol/kg) 5 min before reperfusion. Blood samples were collected for measuring the level of alanine transaminase (ALT) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum at 6 h after reperfusion. Liver tissue samples were collected for pathologic examination. Results The serum ALT levels in S group, IR group and NaHS group were (64±8), (1 393±69) and (823±42) U/L, and the serum TNF-α levels in S group, IR group and NaHS group were (55.62±7.24), (288.97±41.42) and (203.65±37.36) ng/L respectively. As compared with S group, the serum levels of ALT and TNF-α were significantly increased in IR group (t=44.194, P=0.000; t=20.586, P=0.000). As compared with IR group, the serum levels of ALT and TNF-α were significantly decreased in NaHS group (t=-36.415, P=0.000; t=-4.556, P=0.006). The pathological damage degree was milder in NaHS group (Suzuki’s score 2.33) than in IR group (Suzuki’s score 3.67; t=6.325, P=0.001). Conclusion Hydrogen sulfide can reduce fatty liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats through the inhibition of TNF-α expression. Key words: Hydrogen sulfide; Liver ischemia; Reperfusion injury; Fatty liver; Tumor necrosis factor-α