AICAR Attenuates Organ Injury and Inflammatory Response after Intestinal Ischemia and Reperfusion

Intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) is encountered in various clinical conditions and contributes to multiorgan failure and mortality as high as 60% to 80%. Intestinal I/R not only injures the intestine, but affects remote organs such as the lung leading to acute lung injury. The development of novel and effective therapies for intestinal I/R are critical for the improvement of patient outcome. AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxyamide ribonucleoside) is a cell-permeable compound that has been shown to possess antiinflammatory effects. The objective is to determine that treatment with AICAR attenuates intestinal I/R injury and subsequent acute lung injury (ALI). Male Sprague Dawley rats (275 to 325 g) underwent intestinal I/R injury with blockage of the superior mesenteric artery for 90 min and subsequent reperfusion. At the initiation of reperfusion, vehicle or AICAR (30 mg/kg BW) was given intravenously (IV) for 30 min. At 4 h after reperfusion, blood and tissues were collected for further analyses. Treatment with AICAR significantly decreased the gut damage score and the water content, indicating improvement in histological integrity. The treatment also attenuated tissue injury and proinflammatory cytokines, and reduced bacterial translocation to the gut. AICAR administration after intestinal I/R maintained lung integrity, attenuated neutrophil chemotaxis and infiltration to the lungs and decreased lung levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6. Inflammatory mediators, lung-inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins, were decreased in the lungs and lung apoptosis was significantly reduced after AICAR treatment. These data indicate that AICAR could be developed as an effective and novel therapeutic for intestinal I/R and subsequent ALI.     

Attenuation of intestinal ischemia/reperfusion induced liver and lung injury by intraperitoneal administration of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ( - )-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a natural antioxidant, on liver and lungs after warm intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Thirty male Wistar rats were equally divided into a sham-operation group, an intestinal I/R group and an intestinal I/R group pretreated with EGCG intraperitoneally. Intestinal ischemia was induced by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 120 min. Immediately after reperfusion, liver, lung and blood samples were collected and analyzed. Results showed that intestinal I/R increased the levels of aspartate (AST) and alanine (ALT) transaminase in serum to 987 and 752 IU/l, respectively. Malondialdehyde (MDA) increased in liver to 1.524 nmol/g in the group subjected to intestinal I/R compared to 0.995 nmol/g in the sham operation group. MDA was also increased in lungs to 1.581 nmol/g compared to 0.896 nmol/g in the sham operation group. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) increased in liver, after intestinal I/R, to 5.16 U/g compared to 1.59 U/g in the sham operation group. MPO was also increased in lungs to 3.89 U/g compared to 1.65 U/g in the sham operation group. Pretreatment with EGCG decreased serum levels of AST and ALT to 236 and 178 IU/l, respectively. It also decreased mean MDA levels in liver and lungs to 1.061 and 1.008 nmol/g, respectively, and mean MPO levels in liver and lungs to 1.88 and 1.71 U/g, respectively. Light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy examinations showed significant alteration in liver and lungs and protection of liver and lung parenchyma in the animals treated with EGCG.     

Hydrogen-rich saline reduces lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion in rats

Objective. Hydrogen has been reported to selectively reduce the hydroxyl radical, the most cytotoxic of reactive oxygen species. In this study we investigated the effects of hydrogen-rich saline on the prevention of lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats. Methods. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 30, 200-220 g) were divided randomly into three experimental groups: sham operated, intestinal I/R plus saline treatment (5 ml/kg, i.v.), and intestinal I/R plus hydrogen-rich saline treatment (5 ml/kg, i.v.) groups. Intestinal I/R was produced by 90 min of intestinal ischemia followed by a 4 h of reperfusion. Results. Hydrogen-rich saline treatment decreased the neutrophil infiltration, the lipid membrane peroxidation, NF-κB activation and the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin IL-1β and TNF-α in the lung tissues compared with those in saline-treated rat. Conclusion. Hydrogen-rich saline attenuates lung injury induced by intestinal I/R.     

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of infliximab on acute lung injury in a rat model of intestinal ischemia/reperfusion

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of infliximab on acute lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). A total of 30 male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: sham, I/R and I/R+ infliximab; each group contain 10 animals. Sham group animals underwent laparotomy without I/R injury. After I/R groups animals underwent laparotomy, 1 h of superior mesenteric artery ligation were followed by 1 h of reperfusion. In the infliximab group, 3 days before I/R, infliximab (3 mg/kg) was administered by intravenously. All animals were sacrificed at the end of reperfusion and lung tissues samples were obtained for biochemical and histopathological investigation in all groups. To date, no more biochemical and histopathological changes on intestinal I/R injury in rats by infliximab treatment have been reported. Infliximab treatment significantly decreased the elevated tissue malondialdehyde levels and increased of reduced superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities in lung tissues samples. Intestinal I/R caused severe histopathological injury including edema, hemorrhage, increased thickness of the alveolar wall and a great number of inflammatory cells that infiltrated the interstitium and alveoli. Infliximab treatment significantly attenuated the severity of intestinal I/R injury. Furthermore, there is a significant reduction in the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase and arise in the expression of surfactant protein D in lung tissue of acute lung injury induced by intestinal I/R with infliximab therapy. It was concluded that infliximab treatment might be beneficial in acute lung injury, therefore, shows potential for clinical use. Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, infliximab pretreatment may have protective effects in acute lung injury induced by intestinal I/R.     

Protective effect of hesperidin against lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion in adult albino rats: Histological,immunohistochemical and biochemical study

Hesperidin is a naturally common flavonoid. It is an abundant and cheap by-product of citrus cultivation. It is reported to have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic effects. This work was performed to investigate the possible protective role of hesperidin in ameliorating the effect of experimentally induced intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) on lung tissue, histologically, immunohistochemically and biochemically. Thirty male Wistar adult albino rats were randomized into three groups named: group I (control group); group II (I/R); and group III (I/R with hesperidin). Intestinal I/R was induced by occluding the superior mesenteric artery for 60 min, followed by 120 min of reperfusion period. Animals were given hesperidin orally 1 h before the onset of ischemia. At the end of the reperfusion period the lung tissues were extracted for histopathological examination and immunohistochemical detection of the distribution of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Pulmonary edema was evaluated by lung tissue wet/dry weight ratios. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA, a biomarker of oxidative damage), myeloperoxidase (MPO, an index of the degree of neutrophil accumulation) and glutathione (GSH, a biomarker of protective oxidative injury) were also determined in all dissected tissues. Pretreatment with hesperidin (in group III) alleviated lung morphological changes noticed in I/R group and the levels of MDA and MPO were significantly decreased whereas those of GSH were significantly increased. Immunohistochemical study revealed a significant decrease in the iNOS. Hesperidin also significantly alleviated the formation of pulmonary edema as evidenced by the decreased organ wet/dry weight ratios. Hesperidin exerts a protective effect against lung damage induced by intestinal I/R injury in rats by reducing oxidative stress.     

Effects of neutrophil elastase inhibitor (ONO-5046) on lung injury after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion.

The underlying mechanisms of lung endothelial injury after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury are not fully known. Here we investigated the effects of posttreatment with a neutrophil elastase inhibitor (NEI; ONO-5046) on lung injury after intestinal I/R injury in a rat model. Intestinal I/R was produced by 90 min of ischemia followed by either 60 or 240 min of reperfusion. For all experimental groups, the endothelial permeability index increased, neutrophil H(2)O(2) production increased in the pulmonary vasculature blood, neutrophil counts increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-1 and CINC-3 levels were increased in BALF after 240 min (P < 0.01). In rats treated with NEI from 60 min after reperfusion, the lung endothelial permeability index was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), whereas neutrophil H(2)O(2) production in pulmonary vasculature blood and neutrophil count in BALF were significantly suppressed by NEI (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, NEI significantly suppressed the increase of CINC-1 and CINC-3 levels in BALF (P < 0.05). Our study clearly indicates that posttreatment with NEI reduces neutrophil activation in the pulmonary vessels and neutrophil accumulation in the lungs and suggests that ONO-5046, even when administered after the primary intestinal insult, can prevent the progression of lung injury associated with intestinal I/R.     

Hypoxia-inducible factor plays a gut-injurious role in intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury

Gut injury and loss of normal intestinal barrier function are key elements in the paradigm of gut-origin systemic inflammatory response syndrome, acute lung injury, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). As hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1) is a critical determinant of the physiological and pathophysiological response to hypoxia and ischemia, we asked whether HIF-1 plays a proximal role in the induction of gut injury and subsequent lung injury. Using partially HIF-1α-deficient mice in an isolated superior mesenteric artery occlusion (SMAO) intestinal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury model (45 min SMAO followed by 3 h of reperfusion), we showed a direct relationship between HIF-1 activation and intestinal I/R injury. Specifically, partial HIF-1α deficiency attenuated SMAO-induced increases in intestinal permeability, lipid peroxidation, mucosal caspase-3 activity, and IL-1β mRNA levels. Furthermore, partial HIF-1α deficiency prevented the induction of ileal mucosal inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein levels after SMAO and iNOS deficiency ameliorated SMAO-induced villus injury. Resistance to SMAO-induced gut injury was also associated with resistance to lung injury, as reflected by decreased levels of myeloperoxidase, IL-6 and IL-10 in the lungs of HIF-1α(+/-) mice. In contrast, a short duration of SMAO (15 min) followed by 3 h of reperfusion neither induced mucosal HIF-1α protein levels nor caused significant gut and lung injury in wild-type or HIF-1α(+/-) mice. This study indicates that intestinal HIF-1 activation is a proximal regulator of I/R-induced gut mucosal injury and gut-induced lung injury. However, the duration and severity of the gut I/R insult dictate whether HIF-1 plays a gut-protective or deleterious role.     

Rotenone,a mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor,ameliorates ischemia–reperfusion-induced intestinal mucosal damage in rats

Abstract

In ischemia–reperfusion (I/R)-induced tissue injury, oxygen radicals can be generated by several mechanisms. One of the important sources of oxygen radicals is thought to be mitochondrial respiration. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidative defense effect of the mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor, rotenone using the I/R-induced rat intestinal mucosal injury model in vivo. Intestinal ischemia was induced for 30 min by applying a small clamp to the superior mesenteric artery in rats. Rotenone at a dose of 100 mg/kg was given to rats orally 2 h before the ischemia. Intraluminal hemoglobin and protein levels, the mucosal content of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), the mucosal myeloperoxidase activity, and the content of inflammatory cytokines (CINC-1, TNF-α) were all significantly increased from mean basal levels after 60 min of reperfusion. These increases after I/R were inhibited by treatment with rotenone at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Co-administration with succinate (100 mg/kg), a substrate of the mitochondrial electron transport system, cancelled significant reduction of intraluminal hemoglobin and mucosal TBARS treated with rotenone alone. The results of the present study indicate that rotenone inhibited lipid peroxidation and reduced development of the intestinal mucosal inflammation induced by I/R in rats. This investigation suggests that rotenone has potential as a new therapeutic agent for reperfusion injury.     

蛇床子素在大鼠肠缺血再灌注肺损伤模型中的肺保护机制研究

目的：探讨蛇床子素（Osthole）在大鼠肠缺血再灌注肺损伤（IIRI）中的保护机制。方法：健康雄性SD大鼠40只随机分为假手术组（sham组）、缺血再灌注组（I／R）和两个不同剂量给药组（Ost）,其中缺血再灌注组和给药组采用夹闭大鼠肠系膜上动脉60min后松开动脉夹形成缺血再灌注模型。各给药组于缺血再灌注30min后分别给予5mg／kg、25mg／kg蛇床子素腹腔注射治疗。各实验组动物分别采用HE染色、肺组织水肿（W／D）比值、ELISA检测和免疫组化评价蛇床子素在缺血再灌注肺损伤后的肺保护机制。结果：缺血再灌注30min后,给药组大鼠HE,W／D、IL-1B和TNF—α结果均明显优于对照组（P〈0．05）,并在25mg／kg剂量时表现出最大保护效果,同时Caspase-3蛋白表达水平也显著降低。结论：蛇床子素在大鼠肠缺血再灌注肺损伤后有一定的肺保护作用。     

Rotenone, a mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor, ameliorates ischemia-reperfusion-induced intestinal mucosal damage in rats

In ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced tissue injury, oxygen radicals can be generated by several mechanisms. One of the important sources of oxygen radicals is thought to be mitochondrial respiration. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidative defense effect of the mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor, rotenone using the I/R-induced rat intestinal mucosal injury model in vivo. Intestinal ischemia was induced for 30 min by applying a small clamp to the superior mesenteric artery in rats. Rotenone at a dose of 100 mg/kg was given to rats orally 2 h before the ischemia. Intraluminal hemoglobin and protein levels, the mucosal content of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), the mucosal myeloperoxidase activity, and the content of inflammatory cytokines (CINC-1, TNF-alpha) were all significantly increased from mean basal levels after 60 min of reperfusion. These increases after I/R were inhibited by treatment with rotenone at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Co-administration with succinate (100 mg/kg), a substrate of the mitochondrial electron transport system, cancelled significant reduction of intraluminal hemoglobin and mucosal TBARS treated with rotenone alone. The results of the present study indicate that rotenone inhibited lipid peroxidation and reduced development of the intestinal mucosal inflammation induced by I/R in rats. This investigation suggests that rotenone has potential as a new therapeutic agent for reperfusion injury.     

参麦注射液对肠缺血/再灌注肺损伤大鼠肺组织p38MAPK及凋亡相关基因表达的影响

目的:观察参麦注射液(SM)对肠缺血/再灌注(I/R)肺损伤大鼠肺组织p38MAPK和凋亡相关基因Bax、Bcl-2蛋白表达的影响,探讨其保护机制。方法:采用夹闭肠系膜上动脉(SMA)方法建立大鼠肠I/R损伤模型。24只SD大鼠随机分为对照组(Control组)、肠缺血/再灌注组(I/R组)、参麦注射液组(SM+I/R组),每组8只。比较各组大鼠肺湿/干比(W/D)、肺表面活性物质主要成分卵磷脂(PC)及总磷脂(TPL)含量的变化;同时免疫组织化学法检测各组大鼠肺组织中p38MAPK、Bax及Bcl-2蛋白的表达水平。结果:与对照组比较,I/R组肺组织W/D明显升高,而PC和TPL的含量显著降低,肺组织p38MAPK、Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达明显增强(P均＜0.01),其中Bax的增强比Bcl-2的增强更为明显,Bcl-2/Bax比值降低(P＜0.01);与I/R组比较,SM+I/R组大鼠肺组织W/D明显降低,PC和TPL的含量增加,肺组织p38MAPK和Bax蛋白表达下降(P均＜0.01),Bcl-2的表达增强,Bcl-2/Bax比值明显升高(P＜0.01)。相关分析显示,肠I/R时肺组织p38MAPK蛋白表达水平与肺表面活性物质主要功能成分PC含量及凋亡基因Bcl-2/Bax比值呈负相关(r分别为-0.787,-0.731,P均＜0.01)。结论:SM可能通过抑制p38MAPK信号通路的激活,提高Bcl-2/Bax比值来阻抑细胞凋亡,从而减轻肠I/R时的肺损伤。     

Human adrenomedullin combined with human adrenomedullin binding protein-1 is protective in gut ischemia and reperfusion injury in the rat

Previous studies have demonstrated that co-administration of rat adrenomedullin (AM) and human AM binding protein-1 (AMBP-1) has various beneficial effects following adverse circulatory conditions. In order to reduce rat proteins to elicit possible immune responses in humans, we determined the effect of human AM combined with human AMBP-1 after intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Intestinal ischemia was induced in the rat by occluding the superior mesenteric artery for 90 min. At 60 min after the beginning of reperfusion, human AM/AMBP-1 at 3 different dosages was administered intravenously over 30 min. At 240 min after the treatment, blood and tissue samples were harvested and measured for pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., TNF-alpha and IL-6), myeloperoxidase activities in the gut and lungs, and cleaved caspase-3 expression in the lungs, as well as serum levels of hepatic enzymes and lactate. In additional groups of animals, a 10-day survival study was conducted. Results showed that administration of human AM/AMBP-1 reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, attenuated organ injury, and improved the survival rate in a seemingly dose-response fashion. Co-administration of the highest dose of human AM/AMBP-1 in this study had the optimal therapeutic effect in the rat model of intestinal I/R.     

Inhibition of Rho kinase by fasudil hydrochloride attenuates lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia and reperfusion

AimThe aim of this study is to evaluate the role of Rho-kinase in the pathogenesis of lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and the preconditioning effects of fasudil hydrochloride. The novel therapeutic approach of using Rho-kinase inhibitors in the treatment of intestinal I/R is introduced.MethodsSprague–Dawley (SD) rats were divided into 4 groups: intestinal I/R group, two fasudil pretreatment groups (7.5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg), and controls. Intestinal and lung histopathology was evaluated; myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in lung parenchyma were determined. Serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. eNOS and P-ERM expression were measured by Western Blot.ResultsLung and intestinal injury were induced by intestinal I/R, characterized by histological damage and a significant increase in BALF protein. Compared to controls, serum TNF-α, IL-6, and lung MPO activity increased significantly in the I/R group, while SOD activity decreased. A strongly positive P-ERM expression was observed, while eNOS expression was weak. After fasudil administration, injury was ameliorated. Serum TNF-α, IL-6, lung MPO and P-ERM expression decreased significantly as compared to the I/R group, while SOD activity and eNOS expression increased significantly.SignificanceRho-kinase plays a key role in the pathogenesis of lung injury induced by intestinal I/R. The inhibition of the Rho-kinase pathway by fasudil hydrochloride may prevent lung injury.     

Hydrogen-rich saline protects against intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Hydrogen gas was reported to reduce reactive oxygen species and alleviate cerebral, myocardial and hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries. This paper studied the effect of hydrogen-rich saline, which was easier for clinical application, on the intestinal I/R injury. Model of intestinal I/R injury was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Physiological saline, hydrogen-rich saline or nitrogen-rich saline (5 ml/kg) was administered via intravenous infusion at 10 min before reperfusion, respectively. The intestine damage was detected microscopically and was assessed by Chiu score system after I/R injury. In addition, serum DAO activity, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels, tissue MDA, protein carbonyl and MPO activity were all increased significantly by I/R injury. Hydrogen-rich saline reduced these markers and relieved morphological intestinal injury, while no significant reduction was observed in the nitrogen-rich saline-treated animals. In conclusion, hydrogen-rich saline protected the small intestine against I/R injury, possibly by reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress.     

Nitric oxide decreases lung injury after intestinal ischemia

Terada, Lance S., Nancy N. Mahr, and Eugene D. Jacobson.Nitric oxide decreases lung injury after intestinal ischemia. J. Appl. Physiol. 81(6):2456-2460, 1996.After injury to a primary organ, mediators arereleased into the circulation and may initiate inflammation of remoteorgans. We hypothesized that the local production of nitric oxide (NO)may act to limit the spread of inflammation to secondarily targetedorgans. In anesthetized rats, 30 min of intestinal ischemia followed by2 h of reperfusion (I/R) did not increase lung albumin leak. However,after treatment with N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME), intestinal I/R led to increased lung leak, suggesting a protective effect of endogenous NO.The site of action of NO appeared to be the lung and not the gutbecause 1) after treatment withL-NAME, local delivery of NO tothe lung by inhalation abolished the increase in intestinal I/R-inducedlung leak; 2)L-NAME had no effect onepithelial permeability (⁵¹Cr-labeled EDTA clearance) ofreperfused small bowel; and 3) after treatment with L-NAME, localdelivery of NO to the gut by luminal perfusion did not improveepithelial permeability of reperfused intestines. Furthermore,L-NAME increased, and inhaled NOde- creased, the density of lung neutrophils in rats subjected to intestinal I/R, and treatment with the selectin antagonist fucoidan abolished L-NAME-induced lungleak in rats subjected to intestinal I/R. We conclude thatendogenous lung NO limits secondary lung injury after intestinal I/R bydecreasing pulmonary neutrophil retention.

     

Protective effects of leptin on ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat bladder

The aim of the study was to evaluate protective effects of exogenous leptin on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced injuries to the urinary bladder tissue and to investigate the effect on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels and apoptotic cells during I/R injury. Bladder I/R injury was induced by abdominal aorta occlusion by ischemia for 45 min, followed by 60 min of reperfusion in rats. The rats were divided into three groups: control (n = 8 + 8), I/R (n = 8 + 8) and I/R+leptin group (n = 8 + 8). The rats in the I/R+leptin group were treated intraperitoneally with leptin (10 microg/kg) 60 min prior to ischemia induction. At the end of the reperfusion period, urinary bladders of the first eight rats from each group were removed for TUNEL staining processing while the others were removed for biochemical analyses for MDA and TNF-alpha levels. In the I/R group, the ratios of TUNEL-positive nuclei were higher than the control and the I/R+leptin groups. The MDA and TNF-alpha levels of the bladder tissue in the I/R group were higher than the control and leptin-treated groups. TUNEL-staining and biochemical studies revealed that leptin has a protective effect on urinary bladder I/R injury.     

The role of curcumin on intestinal oxidative stress,cell proliferation and apoptosis after ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the role of curcumin on oxidative stress, cell proliferation and apoptosis in the rat intestinal mucosa after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). A total of 30 male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: sham, I/R and I/R+ curcumin; each group contain 10 animals. Sham group animals underwent laparotomy without I/R injury. After I/R groups animals underwent laparotomy, 1 h of superior mesenteric artery ligation were followed by 1 h of reperfusion. In the curcumin group, 3 days before I/R, curcumin (100 mg/kg) was administered by gastric gavage. All animals were sacrificed at the end of reperfusion and intestinal tissues samples were obtained for biochemical and histopathological investigation in all groups. Curcumin treatment significantly decreased the elevated tissue malondialdehyde levels and increased of reduced superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities in intestinal tissues samples. I/R caused severe histopathological injury including mucosal erosions and villous congestion and hemorrhage. Curcumin treatment significantly attenuated the severity of intestinal I/R injury, with inhibiting of I/R-induced apoptosis and cell proliferation. These results suggest that curcumin treatment has a protective effect against intestinal damage induced by intestinal I/R. This protective effect is possibly due to its ability to inhibit I/R-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis and cell proliferation.     

Protective effect of Urtica dioica L. on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat

Renal ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury may occur after renal transplantation, thoracoabdominal aortic surgery, and renal artery interventions. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Urtica dioica L. (UD), in I/R induced renal injury. A total of 32 male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control, UD alone, I/R and I/R?+?UD; each group contain 8 animals. A rat model of renal I/R injury was induced by 45-min occlusion of the bilateral renal pedicles and 24-h reperfusion. In the UD group, 3?days before I/R, UD (2?ml/kg/day intraperitoneal) was administered by gastric gavage. All animals were sacrificed at the end of reperfusion and kidney tissues samples were obtained for histopathological investigation in all groups. To date, no more histopathological changes on intestinal I/R injury in rats by UD treatment have been reported. Renal I/R caused severe histopathological injury including tubular damage, atrophy dilatation, loss of brush border and hydropic epithelial cell degenerations, renal corpuscle atrophy, glomerular shrinkage, markedly focal mononuclear cell infiltrations in the kidney. UD treatment significantly attenuated the severity of intestinal I/R injury and significantly lowered tubulointerstitial damage score than the I/R group. The number of PCNA and TUNEL positive cells in the control and UD alone groups was negligible. When kidney sections were PCNA and TUNEL stained, there was a clear increase in the number of positive cells in the I/R group rats in the renal cortical tissues. However, there is a significant reduction in the activity of PCNA and TUNEL in kidney tissue of renal injury induced by renal I/R with UD therapy. Our results suggest that administration of UD attenuates renal I/R injury. These results suggest that UD treatment has a protective effect against renal damage induced by renal I/R. This protective effect is possibly due to its ability to inhibit I/R induced renal damage, apoptosis and cell proliferation.     

Platelet-associated CD40/CD154 mediates remote tissue damage after mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion injury

Several innate and adaptive immune cell types participate in ischemia/reperfusion induced tissue injury. Amongst them, platelets have received little attention as contributors in the process of tissue damage after ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. It is currently unknown whether platelets participate through the immunologically important molecules including, CD40 and when activated, CD154 (CD40L), in the pathogenesis of I/R injury. We hypothesized that constitutive expression of CD40 and activation-induced expression of CD154 on platelets mediate local mesenteric and remote lung tissue damage after I/R injury. Wild type (WT; C57BL/6J), CD40 and CD154 deficient mice underwent mesenteric ischemia for 30 minutes followed by reperfusion for 3 hours. WT mice subjected to mesenteric I/R injury displayed both local intestinal and remote lung damage. In contrast, there was significantly less intestinal damage and no remote lung injury in CD40 and CD154 deficient mice when compared to WT mice. Platelet-depleted WT mice transfused with platelets from CD40 or CD154 deficient mice failed to reconstitute remote lung damage. In contrast, when CD40 or CD154 deficient mice were transfused with WT platelets lung tissue damage was re-established. Together, these findings suggest that multiple mechanisms are involved in local and remote tissue injury and also identify platelet-expressed CD40 and/or CD154 as mediators of remote tissue damage.     

Inhibition of intestinal ischemia/repurfusion induced apoptosis and necrosis via down-regulation of the NF-kB,c-Jun and caspace-3 expression by epigallocatechin-3-gallate administration

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) activating signal transduction and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of (?)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) administration in inhibition of apoptosis by attenuating the expression of NF-kB, c-Jun and caspace-3 in intestinal I/R. Thirty male wistar rats were used. Group A sham operation, B I/R, C I/R-EGCG 50 mg/kg ip. Intestinal ischemia was induced for 60 min by clamping the superior mesenteric artery. Malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), light histology, Fragment End Labelling of DNA (TUNEL), immunocytochemistry for NF-kB, c-Jun and caspace-3 analysis in intestinal specimens were performed 120 min after reperfusion. Apoptosis as indicated by TUNEL and Caspace-3, NF-kB and c-Jun was widely expressed in I/R group but only slightly expressed in EGCG treated groups. MDA and MPO showed a marked increase in the I/R group and a significant decrease in the EGCG treated group. Light histology showed preservation of architecture in the EGCG treated group. In conclusion, EGCG pre-treatment is likely to inhibit intestinal I/R-induced apoptosis by down-regulating the expression of NF-kB, c-Jun and caspase-3.