Splenic ischemic preconditioning attenuates oxidative stress induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion in rats¹

Purpose:  To evaluate the effects of splenic ischemic preconditioning (sIPC) on oxidative stress induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

Methods:  Fifteen male Wistar rats were equally divided into 3 groups: SHAM, IRI and sIPC. Animals from IRI group were subjected to 45 minutes of partial liver ischemia (70%). In the sIPC group, splenic artery was clamped in 2 cycles of 5 min of ischemia and 5 min of reperfusion (20 min total) prior to hepatic ischemia. SHAM group underwent the same surgical procedures as in the remaining groups, but no liver ischemia or sIPC were induced. After 1h, hepatic and splenic tissue samples were harvested for TBARS, CAT, GPx and GSH-Rd measurement.

Results:  sIPC treatment significantly decreased both hepatic and splenic levels of TBARS when compared to IRI group (p<0.01). Furthermore, the hepatic and splenic activities of CAT, GPx and GSH- Rd were significantly higher in sIPC group than in IRI group.

Conclusion:  sIPC was able to attenuate hepatic and splenic IRI-induced oxidative stress.

Key words:
Liver Failure; Reperfusion Injury; Oxidative Stress; Ischemic Preconditioning; Rats