ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the protective effect of hydrogen-rich saline on liver ischemiareperfusion (IR) in mice and the possible mechanisms. Methods Twenty-four C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operated group, control group (mice were injected with 5 ml/kg saline by tail vein just before ischemia induction) and hydrogen-rich saline group (mice were injected with 5 ml/kg hydrogen-rich saline). Six hour after reperfusion, the mice were sacrificed and the serum and liver samples undergoing IR injury were collected. The ALT and AST levels in serum were determined and liver histiological damage was also evaluated with Suziki's criteria. Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in liver samples were measured using specific kits. The infiltration of F4/80 positive macrophage cells was detected by using immunohistochemistry and that of neutrophils with myeloperoxidase (MPO) kits. The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, ICAM-1 and IP-10 was assayed by using real-time reverse transcription PCR. The activation of transcription factor NF-κB was measured by using Western botting analysis. Results As compared with control group, at the 6th h following reperfusion, mice in hydrogen-rich saline group exhibited lower levels of ALT and AST (P＜0. 05) in serum, milder histological damage (P＜0. 01) and less MDA contents in liver samples (P＜0. 01). The infiltration of macrophages, neutrophils and the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6,ICAM-1 and IP-10 in the liver tissue in hydrogen-rich saline group were reduced as compared with IR group (P＜0. 05 or P＜0. 01). The activation of NF-κB in hydrogen-rich saline group was significantly down-regulated as compared with control group. Conclusion Injection of hydrogen-rich saline via the tail vein can alleviate liver IR injury probably by inhibiting oxidant stress and inflammatory response induced by reperfusion.