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. 2004 Jul 1;10(13):1934-8.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i13.1934.

Role of mitochondria in cell apoptosis during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and protective effect of ischemic postconditioning

Kai Sun  1 , Zhi-Su Liu, Quan Sun
Affiliations

Role of mitochondria in cell apoptosis during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and protective effect of ischemic postconditioning

Kai Sun et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the role of mitochondria in cell apoptosis during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and protective effect of ischemic postconditioning (IPC).

Methods: A rat model of acute hepatic ischemia-reperfusion was established, 24 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, ischemia-reperfusion group (IR) and IPC group. IPC was achieved by several brief pre-reperfusions followed by a persistent reperfusion. Concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of several antioxidant enzymes in hepatic tissue were measured respectively. Apoptotic cells were detected by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and expression of Bcl-2 protein was measured by immunohistochemical techniques. Moreover, mitochondrial ultrastructure and parameters of morphology of the above groups were observed by electron microscope.

Results: Compared with IR group, the concentration of MDA and the hepatocellular apoptotic index in IPC group was significantly reduced (P<0.05), while the activity of antioxidant enzymes and OD value of Bcl-2 protein were markedly enhanced (P<0.05). Moreover, the injury of mitochondrial ultrastructure in IPC group was also obviously relieved.

Conclusion: IPC can depress the synthesis of oxygen free radicals to protect the mitochondrial ultrastructure and increase the expression of Bcl-2 protein that lies across the mitochondrial membrane. Consequently, IPC can reduce hepatocellular apoptosis after reperfusion and has a protective effect on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Bcl-2 expression in sham, IR and IPC groups (× 200). A: Bcl-2 expression in sham group, B: Bcl-2 expression in IR group, C: Bcl-2 expression in IPC group.
Figure 2
Figure 2
TUNEL staining in sham, IR and IPC groups (× 200). A: TUNEL staining in sham group, B: TUNEL staining in IR group, C: TUNEL staining in IPC group.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Morphological change of hepatocellular apoptosis in IR group (TEM × 15000).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mitochondrial ultrastructure in sham, IR and IPC groups (TEM × 15000). A: Mitochondrial ultrastructure in sham group, B: Mitochondrial ultrastructure in IR group, C: Mitochondrial ultrastructure in IPC group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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