Protective effects of ginaton against ischemia-reperfusion injury on the autograft after lung autotransplantation: experiment with rabbits

Abstract

To investigate the effects of ginaton against ischemia-reperfusion injury on the autograft after lung autotransplantation. Models of lung autotransplantation were established in 18 New Zealand rabbits were established. The 18 rabbits were randomly divided into 3 equal groups: group of simple ischemia-reperfusion (group I/R), undergoing ischemia by blocking the left pulmonary artery for 2 h and then re-perfusion for 90 min; group with perfusion of low potassium dextran solution (group LPD), undergoing perfusion of LSD solution before ischemia; and group with treatment of ginaton (group LPD + E), undergoing intravenous injection of ginaton 15 min before ischemia. Arterial blood samples were collected before ischemia, and 15, 60, and 90 min after re-perfusion to examine the alveolar oxygen pressure (PaO2). Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was monitored before ischemia, and 30, 60, and 90 min after re-perfusion. Then the left lungs were taken out to undergo detection of dry/wet ratio (D/W), pathological examination, and contents of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the malondialdehyde (MDA) in the lung tissues. (1) The PaO2 decreased significantly after reperfusion in all groups. And the PaO2 values at different time points of Group LPD + E were all significantly higher than those of Group I/R (all P < 0.01), however, there were no significant differences between Group LPD and Group LPD + E. (2) The TNF-alpha level after reperfusion increased in Group I/R and Group LPD, while in Group LPD + E it increased only 60 min and 90 min after the reperfusion. The TNF-alpha levels after reperfusion at all time points of Group LPD + E were all significantly lower than those of the other 2 groups (all P < 0.05). (3) The MPO and MDA levels at all time points after re-perfusion of Group LPD + E were all significantly lower than those of the other 2 groups (all P < 0.01). (4) The value of D/W ratio of Group LPD + E was significantly higher than those of the other 2 groups (both P < 0.01). (5) Pathological examination showed that the lung tissue lesion of Group I/R was severe. Interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration, intra-alveolar inflammatory cell aggregation, exudation and even hemorrhage could be observed. The pathological lesion of Group LPD + E was mild, no significant inflammatory cell infiltration or exudation was observed. Ginaton provides a protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion injury on the autograft after lung autotransplantation. The mechanism may be related with antioxidation, inhibition of neutrophil aggregation, and TNF-releasing.