Abstract
BackgroundIschemic pre- and postconditioning protects the liver against ischemia/reperfusion injuries. The aim of the present study was to examine how ischemic pre- and postconditioning affects gene expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) in liver tissue.Methods28 rats were randomized into five groups: control; ischemia/reperfusion; ischemic preconditioning (IPC); ischemic postconditioning (IPO); combined IPC and IPO. IPC consisted of 10 min of ischemia and 10 min of reperfusion. IPO consisted of three cycles of 30 sec. reperfusion and 30 sec. of ischemia.ResultsHIF-1α mRNA expression was significantly increased after liver ischemia compared to controls (p = 0.010). HIF-1α mRNA expression was significantly lower in groups subjected to IPC or combined IPC and IPO when compared to the ischemia/reperfusion group (p = 0.002). VEGF-A mRNA expression increased in the ischemia/reperfusion or combined IPC and IPO groups when compared to the control group (p < 0.05).ConclusionIschemic conditioning seems to prevent HIF-1α mRNA induction in the rat liver after ischemia and reperfusion. This suggests that the protective effects of ischemic conditioning do not involve the HIF-1 system. On the other hand, the magnitude of the HIF-1α response might be a marker for the degree of I/R injuries after liver ischemia. Further studies are needed to clarify this issue.
Highlights
Ischemic pre- and postconditioning protects the liver against ischemia/reperfusion injuries
In the ischemic preconditioning (IPC) group hypoxia inducible factor 1a (HIF-1a) mRNA expression was significantly lower than the IRI group (p ≤ 0.01)
In rats subjected to ischemic postconditioning (IPO) there was a tendency towards lower hypoxia inducible factors (HIF)-1a mRNA expression compared to the IRI group (p = 0.065)
Summary
Ischemic pre- and postconditioning protects the liver against ischemia/reperfusion injuries. The aim of the present study was to examine how ischemic pre- and postconditioning affects gene expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1a (HIF-1a), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and transforming growth factor b (TGFb) in liver tissue. 50% of patients with this disease have, or will eventually develop, liver metastases. Surgical removal of those metastases remains the treatment of choice, with a five year survival rate of 37%58% after resection [1,2,3]. Major hemorrhage and blood transfusion during liver resection is related to an increase in morbidity and mortality [4,5,6]. Several studies have shown that the normal livers tolerate periods of continuous warm ischemia
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