Abstract
BackgroundPortacaval shunting in rats produces a reduction of hepatic oxidant scavenging ability. Since this imbalance in hepatic oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis could coexist with systemic changes of oxidant stress/antioxidant status, plasma oxidants and antioxidant redox status in plasma of portacaval shunted-rats were determined.ResultsMale Wistar male: Control (n = 11) and with portacaval shunt (PCS; n = 11) were used. Plasma levels of the oxidant serum advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), the antioxidant total thiol (GSH) and total antioxidant status (TAX) were measured. Albumin, ammonia, Aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), Alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), thiostatin and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (α1-AGP) were also assayed 4 weeks after the operation. AOPPs were significantly higher (50.51 ± 17.87 vs. 36.25 ± 7.21 μM; p = 0.02) and TAX was significantly lower (0.65 ± 0.03 vs. 0.73 ± 0.06 mM; p = 0.007) in PCS compared to control rats. Also, there was hypoalbuminemia (2.54 ± 0.08 vs. 2.89 ± 0.18 g/dl; p = 0.0001) and hyperammonemia (274.00 ± 92.25 vs. 104.00 ± 48.05 μM; p = 0.0001) and an increase of thiostatin (0.23 ± 0.04 vs. 0.09 ± 0.01 mg/ml; p = 0.001) in rats with a portacaval shunt. The serum concentration of ammonia is correlated with albumin levels (r = 0.624; p = 0.04) and TAX correlates with liver weight (r = 0.729; p = 0.017) and albumin levels (r = 0.79; p = 0.007)ConclusionThese findings suggest that in rats with a portacaval shunt a systemic reduction of oxidant scavenging ability, correlated with hyperammonemia, is principally produced. It could be hypothesized, therefore, that the reduced antioxidant defences would mediate a systemic inflammation.
Highlights
Correlation between liver function parameters and serum redox status The serum concentration of ammonia correlates with albumin levels (r = 0.624; p = 0.04) and total antioxidant status (TAX) correlates with liver weight (r = 0.729; p = 0.017) and albumin levels (r = 0.79; p = 0.007) (Figure 2)
The determination of oxidant and antioxidant plasma levels in portacaval shunted rats could broaden the knowledge of the systemic pathophysiological mechanisms, which are activated by the systemic bypass of the portal blood flow
Hepatic liver function assays Aspartate-aminotransferase (AST) (p = 0.004), alanineaminotransferase (ALT) (p = 0.0001), ammonia (p = 0.0001) and thiostatin (p = 0.0001) serum levels are higher in portacaval shunt (PCS)-rats compared to control rats
Summary
Portacaval shunting in rats produces a reduction of hepatic oxidant scavenging ability Since this imbalance in hepatic oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis could coexist with systemic changes of oxidant stress/antioxidant status, plasma oxidants and antioxidant redox status in plasma of portacaval shunted-rats were determined. The portacaval shunted rat is an experimental model of great interest for studying the metabolic alterations related to a portosystemic shunt [3]. In this model it has been described that, portal blood flow deprivation (long-term ischemia) may make the atrophic liver more susceptible to oxidant-induced injury because the oxidant scavenging system of the liver decreases [4]. The determination of oxidant and antioxidant plasma levels in portacaval shunted rats could broaden the knowledge of the systemic pathophysiological mechanisms, which are activated by the systemic bypass of the portal blood flow
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