Changes of HO-1 genes expression in liver following ischemia/reperfusion of limbs and their significance in rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>AIM</b>To detect the changes of inducible heme oxygenase (HO-1) expression in liver following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) of hindlimbs and to elucidate their significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>I/R was established using the occlusion of the femoral arteries for 4h and reopening for 2-24 h in rats. The expression of HO-1 mRNA and HO-1 protein in liver tissue were detected with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical technique, respectively. The observation of pathologic changes of liver was made following the inhibition of HO-1 by zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with control groups, the relative expression level of HO-1 mRNA significantly increased in I/R group. There were more HO-1 positive hepatocytes in I/R group than control groups. The pathologic changes of liver tissue became more severe in I/R + ZnPP group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expressions of HO-1 mRNA and protein in liver tissue are significantly upregulated, induction of HO-1 is involved in protection for hepatocytes during the I/R of hindlimbs.</p>