Comparison of effects of melatonin, pentoxifylline and dimethyl sulfoxide in experimental liver ischemia-reperfusion injury by three different methods

Abstract

Objectives: Liver transplantation is increasingly being used in the treatment of end-stage liver disease. Ischemia-reperfusion injury is one of the major problems encountered in transplantation. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of melatonin, pentoxifylline, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury with different methods such as biochemical/ultrastructural changes and hepatobiliary scintigraphy. Methods: Thirty rabbits were used in the Laboratory of Experimental Animals of Trakya University under appropriate conditions. Sham laparotomy and only ischemia reperfusion group were planned. They were used melatonin, pentoxifylline, and DMSO after I-R in the other three groups. 6 rabbits were randomly selected for each group. Rabbits in all groups were subjected to liver scintigraphy. Following scintigraphy, 2 cm 2 of liver tissue was removed to examining for liver antioxidant enzyme levels (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx]) and for liver electron microscopy. Results: Pentoxifylline and melatonin protected significantly uptake and excretion functions in liver scintigraphy. When the effects of all three substances were examined by electron microscopy, it was found that the three substances protected the liver from the effects of ischemia-reperfusion damage at varying rates. All three agents were found to protect SOD and GPx from falling in various amounts. Conclusions: Studies to prevent ischemia-reperfusion injury, which may develop as a result of the Pringle maneuver applied to liver transplantations as well as to liver resections or liver injuries, still maintain their popularity. In our study, the effects of agents were identified in three different ways. Ischemia-reperfusion injury-reducing effect of pentoxifylline gave parallel results with three methods.