Expression and significance of HIF-1α and VEGF in liver tissues after ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in liver tissues after ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats. Methods Sixteen Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into the IRI group and the Sham group according to the random number table, 8 rats in each group. The portal vein and branches of hepatic artery of the rats in the IRI group were clamped with the atraumatic vascular clamp. After 45 min of ischemia, reperfusion was performed for 6 h. The porta hepatis of rats in the Sham group was exposed and the hepatic blood flow was not occluded. The morphological changes of the liver tissues in two groups were observed. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were tested and the contents of HIF-1α and VEGF in liver tissues were determined. Data comparison between two groups was conducted using t test. Results Under light microscope, swelling, vacuolar degeneration of the liver cells, inflammatory cell infiltration, hepatic sinusoidal dilatation, disorganized hepatic cords and spotty necrosis were observed in the IRI group. The histomorphology of liver tissues in the Sham group was normal. The serum ALT and AST in the IRI group was respectively (1 007±130) and (1 307±72) U/L, which were significantly higher than (59±4) and (81±3) U/L in the Sham group (t=20.700, 48.448; P<0.05). The relative expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in liver tissues of IRI group was 1.77±0.10 and 1.86±0.05 respectively, which were significantly higher than 0.60±0.22 and 0.83±0.06 in the Sham group (t=13.623, 35.563; P<0.05). Conclusion The expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in liver tissues increase significantly during early IRI, which may play a role in reducing the IRI of organism. Key words: Liver; Reperfusion injury; Hypoxia-inducible factor 1, alpha subunit; Vascular endothelial growth factors; Rats