Mesna (2-mercaptoethane sulfonate) prevents ischemia/reperfusion induced renal oxidative damage in rats

Reoxygenation of the ischemic tissue promotes the generation of various reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) which are known to have deleterious effects on various cellular functions. This study was designed to determine the possible protective effect of mesna (2-Mercaptoethane Sulfonate) on renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Wistar albino rats were unilaterally nephrectomized, and 15 days later they were subjected to 45 min of renal pedicle occlusion followed by 6 h of reperfusion. Mesna (MESNA, 150 mg/kg, i.p.; an effective dose against I/R injury) or vehicle was administered twice, 15 min prior to ischemia and immediately before the reperfusion period. At the end of the reperfusion period, rats were killed by decapitation. Kidney samples were taken for histological examination or determination of the free radicals, renal malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Renal tissue collagen content, as a fibrosis marker was also determined. Creatinine and urea concentrations in blood were measured for the evaluation of renal function. The results demonstrated that renal I/R caused nephrotoxicity, as evidenced by increases in blood urea and creatinine levels, which was reversed by MESNA treatment. Increased free radical levels, as assessed by nitroblue-tetrazolium test were reduced with MESNA. Moreover, the decrease in GSH and increases in MDA levels, and MPO activity induced by I/R indicated that renal injury involves free radical formation. Treatment of rats with MESNA restored the reduced GSH levels while it decreased MDA levels as well as MPO activity. Increased collagen contents of the kidney tissues by I/R were reversed back to the control levels by MESNA treatment. Since MESNA administration reversed these oxidant responses, improved renal function and microscopic damage, it seems likely that MESNA protects kidney tissue against I/R induced oxidative damage.     

Apolipoprotein A-I attenuates renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), the major protein component of serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL), exhibits its anti-inflammatory activity in inflammatory responses. As renal inflammation plays an important role in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of the kidney, the aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effect of ApoA-I on renal I/R injury in rats and the underlined mechanism. Using rats subjected to renal I/R by occlusion of bilateral renal pedicles, we found that administration of ApoA-I significantly reduced serum creatinine levels, serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels as well as tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, compared with I/R controls. Moreover, ApoA-I treatment suppresses the expression of intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1) and P-selectin on endothelium, thus diminishing neutrophil adherence and the subsequent tissue injury. These results showed that ApoA-I reduced I/R-induced inflammatory responses, decreased renal microscopic damage and improved renal function. It seems likely that ApoA-I protects kidney from I/R injury by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines release and neutrophil infiltration and activation.     

The protective effect of apelin on ischemia/reperfusion injury

Apelin is the endogenous ligand for the APJ, a member of the G protein coupled receptors family. Apelin/APJ system is widely distributed in central nervous system and peripheral tissues, especially in heart, lung and kidney. Apelin plays important physiological and pathological roles in cardiovascular system, immune system, neuroprotection, etc. This article outlines the protective effect of apelin on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Apelin could activate multiple protective mechanisms to prevent heart, brain, liver and kidney I/R injury. Apelin/APJ system may be a promising therapeutic target for ischemic and other related diseases.     

Protective effect of oxytocin on ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Oxytocin (OT), a neurohypophysial nonapeptide, plays dual role as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator and a hormone. It has also well known protective properties against ischemia/reperfusion organ damage. This study investigated the effect of OT on experimentally induced ovarian torsion/de-torsion ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to five treatment groups (n = 7/group): Group 1, sham-operated; Group 2, torsion; Group 3, 80 IU/kg of OT administration 30 min prior to torsion; Group 4, torsion/de-torsion; and Group 5, torsion followed by 80 IU/kg of OT administration 30 min prior to de-torsion. OT administration significantly decreased the tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in both the torsion and OT group (Group 3), and torsion/de-torsion OT group (Group 5) in comparison with the torsion-only group (Group 2) and torsion/de-torsion group (Group 4). Histopathological finding scores including follicular degeneration, edema, hemorrhage, vascular congestion, and infiltration by inflammatory cells were found to be significantly decreased in the torsion and OT group (Group 3), and torsion/de-torsion OT group (Group 5) when compared with the torsion-only group (Group 2) and torsion/de-torsion group (Group 4). In conclusion, these results, verified with histopathologic evaluation and biochemical assays, suggest a probable protective role for OT in ischemia and I/R injury in rat ovaries.     

Gender specific effect of progesterone on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

The study was designed to investigate the effect of progesterone and its gender based variation on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Adult Sprague Dawley rats were divided into vehicle treated reperfusion injury group male (I/R-M), female (I/R-F), ovariectomised (I/R-OVR) and progesterone treatment (I/R-M+PG, I/R-F+PG, I/R-OVR+PG) groups, respectively. I/R injury was produced by occluding the left descending coronary artery (LCA) for 1 h and followed by re-opening for 1 h. Progesterone (2 mg kg(-1) i.p.) was administered 30 min after induction of ischemia. Hemodynamic parameters (+/-dp/dt, MAP), heart rate, ST-segment elevation and occurrence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) were measured during the I/R period. The myocardial infarct area, oxidative stress markers, activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and creatine kinase (CK) were determined after the experiment along with the assessment of the effect on apoptotic activity by using DNA fragmentation analysis. Histological observations were carried out on heart tissue. Treatment with progesterone significantly (P<0.05) reduced infarct area, lipid peroxidation (LPO) level and activity of MPO in females (I/R-F+PG) as compared to ischemic females (I/R-F). Progesterone significantly (P<0.001, P<0.05) inhibited serum CK activity and incidences of VT in female rats. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were significantly elevated (P<0.05) in I/R-F+PG group. Internucleosomal DNA fragmentation was less in I/R-F+PG group when compared to I/R-F group. The ischemic male and ovariectomised (I/R-M and I/R-OVR) counterparts did not show any significant change after progesterone treatment. In conclusion, the cardioprotective effect of progesterone on myocardial I/R injury induced damage is based on gender of the animal. The protective effect could be mediated by attenuation of inflammation and its possible interaction with endogenous estrogen.     

缺血预处理对肢体缺血/再灌注时肺损伤的保护作用

目的：观察肢体缺血/再灌注（LI/R）时肺损伤的变化并探讨缺血预处理（IPC）对其保护作用。方法：复制家兔LI/R损伤模型,观察肢体缺血4 h再灌注4 h肺损伤的变化以及采用肢体IPC干预后对肺损伤的影响。从右颈外静脉和左颈总动脉采血,分别代表入肺血和出肺血,检测入、出肺血及肺组织超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的活性、脂质过氧化物的代谢产物丙二醛（MDA）和一氧化氮（NO）的含量;同时测定肺组织总一氧化氮合酶（tNOS）和诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）的活性以及肢体IPC对上述指标的影响。结果：与对照组和缺血前比较,LI/R组松夹再灌注4 h入、出肺血及肺组织SOD活性明显降低,MDA和NO含量增高（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）;肺组织tNOS和iNOS活性亦升高,与对照组比较,有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。在缺血前给予IPC组,SOD活性升高,而MDA、NO含量降低,tNOS、iNOS活性也降低（P〈0.01）。相关分析显示MDA与SOD间存在明显负相关（P〈0.01）,而MDA与NO及iNOS呈显著正相关（P〈0.01）。结论：LI/R时并发的急性肺损伤与组织氧化代谢紊乱有关,IPC通过改善LI/R时肺组织氧化与抗氧化之间的平衡,进而增强肺组织的抗氧化能力,对LI/R肺损伤具有保护作用。     

牛磺酸对大鼠肢体缺血/再灌注后肺组织损伤的保护作用

目的:观察大鼠肢体缺血再灌注(LIR)后肺组织形态学的变化及牛磺酸对其影响.方法:Wistar大鼠随机分为3组,对照组(control)、缺血/再灌注组(LIR)、牛磺酸 缺血/再灌注组(Tau LIR),各组动物通过大体、光镜和透射电镜观察肺组织形态学变化,并测定肺系数和肺通透指数及肺组织活性氧和MDA含量.结果:大鼠LIR后肺组织出现以肺泡毛细血管膜通透性增加为特征的组织细胞损伤,光镜下显示毛细血管扩张充血、血管周围间隙增大、肺泡腔中有大量蛋白渗出物,电镜下可见肺泡上皮细胞之间、毛细血管内皮之间的紧密连接松解;肺系数和肺通透指数升高;肺组织活性氧及MDA含量增加.提前给予外源性牛磺酸可使肺组织损伤变化减轻.结论:牛磺酸对大鼠LIR后肺损伤有保护作用,其保护机理之一与其抗氧化,保护细胞之间的紧密连接有关.     

The effect of taurine on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury

Summary. Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the most common causes of renal dysfunction. Taurine is an endogenous antioxidant and a membrane-stabilizing, intracellular, free beta-amino acid. It has been demonstrated to have protective effects against I/R injuries to tissues other than kidney. The aim of this study was to determine whether taurine has a beneficial role in renal I/R injury. Forty Wistar-Albino rats were allocated into four groups as follows: sham, taurine, I/R, and I/R + taurine. Taurine 7.5 mg/kg was given intra-peritoneally to rats in the groups taurine and I/R + taurine. Renal I/R was achieved by occluding the renal arteries bilaterally for 40 min, followed by 6 h of reperfusion. Immediately thereafter, blood was drawn and tissue samples were harvested to measure 1) serum levels of BUN and creatinine; 2) serum and/or tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) and glutathione reductase (GSH-red); 3) renal morphology; and 4) immunohistochemical staining for P-selectin. Taurine administration reduced I/R-induced increases in serum BUN and creatinine, and serum and tissue MDA levels (p < 0.05). Additionally, taurine lessened the reductions in serum and tissue glutathione levels secondary to I/R (p < 0.05). Taurine also attenuated histopathologic evidence of renal injury, and reduced I/R-induced P-selectin immunoreactivity (p < 0.05). Overall, then, taurine administration appears to reduce the injurious effects of I/R on kidney.     

Manganese porphyrin reduces renal injury and mitochondrial damage during ischemia/reperfusion

Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury often occurs as a result of vascular surgery, organ procurement, or transplantation. We previously showed that renal I/R results in ATP depletion, oxidant production, and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) inactivation. There have been several reports that overexpression of MnSOD protects tissues/organs from I/R-related damage, thus a loss of MnSOD activity during I/R likely contributes to tissue injury. The present study examined the therapeutic benefit of a catalytic antioxidant, Mn(III) meso-tetrakis(N-n-hexylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin (MnTnHex-2-PyP(5+)), using the rat renal I/R model. This was the first study to examine the effects of MnTnHex-2-PyP(5+) in an animal model of oxidative stress injury. Our results showed that porphyrin pretreatment of rats for 24 h protected against ATP depletion, MnSOD inactivation, nitrotyrosine formation, and renal dysfunction. The dose (50 microg/kg) used in this study is lower than doses of various types of antioxidants commonly used in animal models of oxidative stress injuries. In addition, using novel proteomic techniques, we identified the ATP synthase-beta subunit as a key protein induced by MnTnHex-2-PyP(5+) treatment alone and complex V (ATP synthase) as a target of injury during renal I/R. These results showed that MnTnHex-2-PyP(5+) protected against renal I/R injury via induction of key mitochondrial proteins that may be capable of blunting oxidative injury.     

缺血预处理对缺血/再灌注离体心脏的保护作用

目的：探讨连续多次短暂缺血预处理对缺血/再灌注损伤心肌的保护作用及机制。方法：采用大鼠离体心脏Lan-gendorff灌流模型,观察缺血预处理对心肌缺血/再灌注后不同时间点冠脉流出液中AST、CPK、UDH及冠脉流量,心肌组织中SOD、LPO以及再灌注性心律失常的影响。结果：缺血预处理可以减少缺血/再灌注损伤的心肌冠脉流出液中AST、CPK、LDH的含量,提高心肌SOD活性,降低LPO水平,并且抑制再灌注性心律失常的发生,提高再灌注期间的冠脉流量。结论：缺血预处理对心肌缺血/再灌注损伤具有一定保护作用。     

Glutathione protection against dive-associated ischemia/reperfusion in ringed seal tissues

Ischemia/reperfusion is a potentially hazardous condition that increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative damage. Seals of the phocid family experience repetitive episodes of ischemia/reperfusion during and after a dive as a consequence of preferential distribution of blood flow to the central nervous system and reduction or elimination of perfusion in most vascular beds. Previous studies showed that ROS production is higher in ringed seal than in domestic pig tissues as a direct consequence of the ischemia/reperfusion associated with the diving response; however, oxidative damage is not related to this high ROS production. Apparently, antioxidant enzyme activities participate in the antioxidant protection in ringed seal tissues. In the present study we addressed the potential antioxidant protection of the glutathione system against dive-induced ischemia/reperfusion in ringed seal tissues. Total glutathione (GSH-Eq = GSH + 2GSSG), glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG), the ratio GSSG:GSH-Eq, the activities of the enzymes glutathione disulfide reductase (GR) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), as well as lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and carbonyl proteins, were measured in ringed seal and domestic pig heart, kidney, liver, lung and muscle samples. In heart, kidney, lung and muscle GSH-Eq and GSH content was higher in seal than in pig (p < 0.05). GSSG content was higher in seal than in pig heart kidney, liver and muscle (p < 0.05). GR and G6PDH activities were higher in all seal than in pig tissues (p < 0.05). GSSG:GSH-Eq ratio was higher in pig than in seal heart, and lung (p < 0.05). TBARS content was higher in pig than in seal lung (p < 0.05). Higher content of carbonyl proteins was present in pig than in seal heart, kidney, liver and muscle (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the glutathione levels and the activity of enzymes involved in its recycling are efficient mechanisms that ameliorate protein and lipid oxidative damage and protect ringed seal tissues against dive-induced ischemia/reperfusion.     

Effect of duration of ischemia on myocardial proteome in ischemia/reperfusion injury

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a serious problem resulting from clinical setting of coronary revascularization. Despite extensive studies on I/R injury, the molecular bases of cardiac dysfunction caused by I/R are still unknown, but are likely to result from alterations in protein expression. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 15-30 min of no-flow ischemia without (Ischemia protocol) or with 30 min of reperfusion (I/R protocol). 2-DE analysis of heart proteins from both experimental protocols showed wide-ranging changes in protein levels. In the Ischemia protocol, 39 protein spots were changed in ischemic groups and those changes correlated with duration of ischemia. Ninety percent of the affected proteins were increased. In contrast to increased protein levels, the total messenger RNA (mRNA) level decreased approximately two fold. Compared to the Ischemia protocol, changes in protein levels in the I/R protocol did not correlate with the duration of ischemia and the degree of recovery of mechanical function. The decrease of affected protein from I/R protocol was associated with the increase in total protein level in reperfusate. Our studies show that the protein increase is correlated with the mechanical function of the I/R hearts and the increase is not likely associated with an increase in protein synthesis.     

巨噬细胞亚型转变在大鼠肾脏缺血/再灌注损伤中的作用

目的：探讨巨噬细胞在大鼠肾脏缺血/再灌注损伤过程中的亚型转变及意义。方法：将30只雄性SD大鼠随机分成假手术组（Sham,n=6）和缺血/再灌组（IRI,夹闭肾动脉45 min,n=24）。IRI组分别于术后0、6、24和72 h取肾组织,每个时相组6只大鼠。用HE染色观察肾组织损伤程度;免疫组化染色检测细胞增殖核抗原（PCNA）的表达;实时定量RT-PCR检测巨噬细胞移动抑制因子（MIF） mRNA的表达;免疫组织荧光染色检测MIF、单核巨噬细胞趋化蛋白-1（MCP-1）以及活化巨噬细胞标志物CD68的表达,流式细胞分析检测巨噬细胞M1和M2亚型的分布特征。结果：病理结果显示大鼠肾局部损伤情况和炎症细胞浸润程度在24 h时最为严重,之后逐渐恢复。PCNA在再灌后表达明显增加,6 h达峰值,72 h表达下降。相比于正常组,再灌组大鼠肾组织中MIF的mRNA和蛋白表达明显升高;MCP-1表达则在6 h达峰值,随后下降;而CD68阳性的巨噬细胞数量明显增加,24 h达峰值,72 h表达下降。更进一步研究发现缺血/再灌注6 h时,M1亚型分布达最高值;之后随着缺血/再灌注时间延长,M1亚群相对含量开始下调,M2随之升高。结论：在肾脏缺血/再灌注早期,M1巨噬细胞介导的组织损伤发挥主要作用,随后M2型表达逐渐上调,并通过促进细胞增殖修复肾组织损伤。     

N-乙酰-L-半胱氨酸减轻大鼠胃缺血/再灌注损伤的机制

为研究N-乙酰-L-半胱氨酸(N-acetylcysteine,NAC)减轻大鼠胃缺血/再灌注(gastric ischemia/reperfusion,GI/R)损伤的机制,在大鼠股静脉注射NAC(150mg/kg),夹闭大鼠腹腔动脉30min,再灌注1h制备GI/R模型。取胃后计数胃黏膜损伤指数(gastric mucosal damage index,GMDI),用原位检测(TUNEL)法观察胃黏膜细胞的凋亡,用免疫印迹法测定胃黏膜组织中p-ERK,p-JNK和NF-κB的表达,用RT-PCR法检测TNF-α,Caspase-3的mRNA表达。结果显示,NAC可以减轻GI/R损伤大鼠胃黏膜细胞的凋亡;促进大鼠I/R损伤的胃黏膜组织中p-ERK蛋白的表达,抑制p-JNK和NF-κB的蛋白表达,同时也抑制TNF-α mRNA和Caspase-3 mRNA的表达。股静脉给予辣椒素受体(vanilloid receptor subtype1,VR1)拮抗剂(capsaizepin,CPZ)400mg/kg,能逆转NAC对大鼠GI/R损伤的保护作用。以上结果提示:NAC对大鼠GI/R损伤具有减轻作用,其保护机制可能是通过上调胃黏膜组织中p-ERK,下调p-JNK和NF-κB实现的,且这种保护作用可能与VR1有关。     

Oxygen free radical induced damage during intestinal ischemia/reperfusion in normal and xanthine oxidase deficient rats

This study looks at the role of xanthine oxidase (XO) in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) induced intestinal mucosal damage using normal and xanthine oxidase deficient rats. Tungstate feeding for 3 days depleted the intestinal mucosal XO by 80%. A ligated loop of the rat small intestine (both normal and XO-deficient) was subjected to 1 h of total ischemia followed by 5 min revascularisation. The ensuing mucosal damage was assessed by biochemical and histological studies. Ischemia or I/R increased the XO levels in normal rats without any change in XO-deficient rats. Myeloperoxidase (a neutrophil marker) level was increased in both group of rats but it was comparatively higher in the XO-deficient rats. Accumulation of peroxidation products such as malondialdehyde, conjugated diene and increased production of hydroxyl radicals by microsomes were seen after ischemia and I/R and were similar in normal and XO-deficient rats. Studies on other parameters of peroxidation showed a decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids and alpha-tocopherol, an increase in cysteine and cystine levels after I/R and were similar in both normal and XO-deficient rats. Histological results indicated gross morphological changes in the intestinal mucosa due to ischemia and I/R, and the damage was more severe in XO-deficient rats. These observations suggest that oxygen-derived free radicals are involved in the intestinal mucosal damage during I/R and infiltrated neutrophils rather than XO may be the primary source of free radicals under these conditions.     

The protective effect of oxytocin on ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat urinary bladder

Oxytocin (OXY), a well-known nonapeptide, plays a crucial role in reproduction, and has effects on modulating the immune and inflammatory processes in living organisms as well. Recently it is also known as an antioxidant in several organs. The present study aims to demonstrate the protective effect of OXY against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in urinary bladder tissue. Abdominal aorta of rats, were clamped to perform urinary bladder ischemia. OXY (0.5 μg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally before ischemia in I/R + OXY group, whereas the vehicle solution was injected to I/R group. At the end of reperfusion, tissue samples from urinary bladder were processed for histochemical, ultrastructural and biochemical analysis. Tissue sections were stained by toluidine blue for mast cell counting and hematoxylin–eosin for histopathology. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined biochemically. The results demonstrated that there was an extreme damage at urothelium, dilatation of intercellular junctions, inflammatory cell infiltration in I/R group. I/R + OXY group demonstrated a reduction in the severity of urinary bladder damage. According to mast cell counting results, both granulated and degranulated mast cells were decreased in I/R + OXY group compared to I/R group. The mean MDA level was higher in I/R group compared to control and lower in I/R + OXY group compared to I/R group. GSH level reduced in I/R group compared to the control and increased in I/R + OXY group compared to I/R group. In conclusion, oxytocin, as confirmed by histological evaluation and biochemical assays has a potential protective effect in the urinary bladder tissue against ischemia/reperfusion injury.     

大鼠肢体缺血/再灌注后的心肌损伤和NO的保护效应

目的:探讨大鼠肢体缺血/再灌注(LI/R)后心肌的损伤性变化及NO的保护效应。方法:制备LI/R动物模型,将Wistar大鼠随机分为4组(n=10):C(control)组、I/R组、L-Arg组和L-NAME组。用生物化学方法测定大鼠血浆CK、CK-MB及NO水平,测定心肌组织XOD、SOD、MDA含量。用BL-420生物机能实验系统监测大鼠MAP、LVSP、±dp/dtmax等。结果:LI/R后,血浆CK、CK-MB水平均明显升高(P<0.01);心肌组织SOD活性降低而MDA、XOD含量增加(P<0.01或P<0.05);MAP、LVSP、dp/dtmax、-dp/dtmax均降低(P<0.01或P<0.05);血浆NO水平在L-Arg组明显升高(P<0.01),在L-NAME组显著降低(P<0.05)。结论:大鼠LI/R可引起心肌损伤,机体的氧化应激状态可能是其发生机制之一;提高体内NO水平可在一定程度上减轻LI/R后心肌损伤的程度。     

The hepatoprotective effects of Hypericum perforatum L. on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Little is known about the effective role of Hypericum perforatum on hepatic ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Hence, albino rats were subjected to 45 min of hepatic ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion period. Hypericum perforatum extract (HPE) at the dose of 50 mg/kg body weight (HPE₅₀) was intraperitonally injected as a single dose, 15 min prior to ischemia. Rats were sacrificed at the end of reperfusion period and then, biochemical investigations were made in serum and liver tissue. Liver tissue homogenates were used for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels. At the same time alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assayed in serum samples and compared statistically. While the ALT, AST, LDH activities and MDA levels were significantly increased, CAT and GPx activities significantly decreased in only I/R-induced control rats compared to normal control rats (p < 0.05). Treatment with HPE₅₀ significantly decreased the ALT, AST, LDH activities and MDA levels, and markedly increased activities of CAT and GPx in tissue homogenates compared to I/R-induced rats without treatment–control group (p < 0.05). In oxidative stress generated by hepatic ischemia–reperfusion, H. perforatum L. as an antioxidant agent contributes an alteration in the delicate balance between the scavenging capacity of antioxidant defence systems and free radicals in favour of the antioxidant defence systems in the body.     

C5aR-mediated myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

The complement system activation can mediate myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Inhibition of C5a activity reveals attenuation of I/R-induced myocardial infarct size. However, the contribution of C5a receptor (C5aR) to I/R injury remains to be unknown. Here, we reported that both mRNA and protein for the C5aR were constitutively expressed on cardiomyocytes and upregulated as a function of time after I/R-induced myocardial cell injury in mice. Blockade of C5aR markedly decreased microvascular permeability in ischemic myocardial area and leukocyte adherence to coronary artery endothelium. Importantly, the blocking of C5aR with an anti-C5aR antibody was associated with inhibition in activation of protein kinase C delta (PKC-delta) and induction of PKC-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatases-1 (MKP-1) leading to the increased activity of p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade. These data provide evidence that C5aR-mediated myocardial cell injury is an important pathogenic factor, and that C5aR blockade may be useful therapeutic targets for the prevention of myocardial I/R injury.