ABSTRACT
Background: The researchers find means for the improvement of the organs conservation allowing prolonging the durations of the cold ischemia [before transplantation] with preservation of the maximum of their functional activity
Aim: To evaluate the extracts stemming from the green seaweed Ulva lactuca to improve the organs conservation solution against cold hepatic-ischemia effects in Wistar rats
Methods: Animals were randomized between 3 groups: sham group [shortly preserved]; livers were washed with saline solution [NaCl 9 %], and then placed in a preservation solution [Krebs-Henseleit] for 30 min at 4[degree]C. For the other two groups [non-treated group and treated group with Ulva lactuca extract], livers were preserved under the same conditions for 24 h. After liver conservation, we realized an extraction of mitochondria for the dosage of MDA and to evaluate the mitochondrial respiration. In the hypothermic ischemia model AST and ALT activities, and Na+, Ca2+, K+ and Cl- monitoring, were assessed in the preservation liquid. Fragments of livers were used for histological analysis
Results: AST and ALT levels decrease significantly in the treated group [185 +/- 35.2 and 163.6 +/- 24.5 U/I] compared to the non-treated group [644.3 +/- 254.4 and 925.7 +/- 459.7 U/I] respectively. The percentage of lipid peroxidation inhibition increased of 26.43 +/- 1.33% and the percentage of mitochondrial activity increased of 38.8 +/- 4.3%, between treated and non-treated groups. Extensive ballooning degeneration [reversible lesion] and apoptosis cell was found in the non-treated group
Conclusion: Ulva lactuca extract protects hepatocytes from the deleterious effect induced by hypothermic ischemia in rats