The Effect of Selective Inhibition of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase on Cytochrome P450 After Liver Transplantation in a Rat Model

Abstract

Background Activity levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP) provide markers for liver function and graft rejection episodes after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Some in vitro studies have shown decreased CYP activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in rejecting liver grafts. The aim of this study was to evaluate CYP isoenzyme activity changes in vivo and to examine histopathologic aspects during inhibition of iNOS after treatment with aminoguanidine (AG) using OLT in the rat. Materials and Methods Thirty DA-(RT1av1) rats that served as donors and LEWIS-(RT 1) rats as recipients were divided into three groups: group I (controls, syngeneic rats; n = 6), group II (allogeneic rats without immunosupression; n = 11), and group III (allogeneic rats with AG treatment; n = 13). On postoperative days 5, 8, and 10 we performed laboratory investigations and liver biopsies for histopathologic investigations. Results On postoperative day 5, activities of CYP-1A1 and -3A4 were significantly lower ( P = .022) in group III and the activity of CYP-1A2 higher ( P < .05) compared with group II. At postoperative days 8 and 10, the activities of all CYP isoenzymes were significant higher in AG-treated rats (group III) in contrast with group II after allogeneic OLT without immunosuppression. Histopathologic findings revealed less distinct rejection signs in group III specimens after AG treatment compared with group II. Conclusion Summarizing our results, we concluded that AG treatment led to increased CYP activity and less distinction of graft rejection after OLT in rats.