Effect of Erythropoietin on Oxidative Stress and Liver Injury in Experimental Obstructive Jaundice

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the time-dependent effects and pathophysiological mechanism of erythropoietin (Epo) on oxidative stress and liver injury resulting from obstructive jaundice in common bile duct-ligated rats. Methods: Wistar Albino rats were divided into 5 groups, each including 8 rats. The sham group underwent laparotomy only, while the Non-Epo-3 and Non-Epo-7 groups underwent common bile duct ligation and were sacrificed 3 and 7 days, respectively, after the operation. The Epo-3 and Epo-7 groups underwent common bile duct ligation and Epo treatment and were sacrificed 3 and 7 days, respectively, after the operation. Blood and tissue samples were collected from all groups for the determination of oxidative injury and hepatocellular damage. Serum total and direct bilirubin levels, alkaline phosphatase, reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and white blood cell counts were measured. Results: Significantly higher NO and MDA levels were found in Non-Epo groups than Epo groups. Significantly lower GSH levels were found in the Non-Epo-7 group than the Epo-7 and sham groups. Hepatocellular damage was also found to be reduced in Epo groups. Conclusions: In the present model, while common bile duct ligation increased oxidative injury and hepatocellular damage, treatment with Epo attenuated oxidative injury and hepatocellular damage by decreasing NO and increasing GSH.

Herbal medicine Yinchenhaotang protects against α-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced cholestasis in rats

“…Accordingly, mitochondrial free radicals may then modify nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids. In fact, an increase in lipid peroxidative products has been observed in cholestatic livers 13 . Besides the accumulation of BAs in hepatocytes and circulation, the elevated plasma levels of bilirubin are also a laboratory marker of cholestasis.…”

The effects of obstructive jaundice on the brain: An experimental study

“…Different studies showing an increase of MDA levels in experimental models of OJ confirms our results. 17,18 Free oxygen radicals are formed from oxygen, which is used in mitochondria, in order to provide energy for brain tissues. It has been shown that oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of acute central nervous system injury.…”

The hepatic protective mechanism of Ginkgo biloba extract in rats with obstructive jaundice

“…The main treatment for obstructive jaundice includes surgical removal of obstruction and endoprosthesis introduced either percutaneously or endoscopically. This mechanism of liver injury during obstructive jaundice is involved in chemical mediators such as superoxide, nitric oxide (NO), endothelin 1 (ET-1) and cytokines [2,3,4,5]. Among these cytokines, ET-1 and NO have been considered to be the main effectors in liver injury [3,4,5].…”

“…This mechanism of liver injury during obstructive jaundice is involved in chemical mediators such as superoxide, nitric oxide (NO), endothelin 1 (ET-1) and cytokines [2,3,4,5]. Among these cytokines, ET-1 and NO have been considered to be the main effectors in liver injury [3,4,5]. Obviously, it is important to reduce the release of ET-1and NO in the perioperative period in order to prevent or minimize the related complications.…”

“…The equilibrium between NO and ET-1 is essential in maintaining liver's blood supply. Biliary obstruction leads to excessive production of ET and NO [2,3,4,5], which causes the destruction of this dynamic equilibrium and the disorders of hepatic hemodynamics, which further aggravates liver injury. Consistent with previous research, our data demonstrated that ET-1 and NO levels in both plasma and liver tissue in CBD-ligated rats were significantly elevated in comparison with the Sham-Operated group.…”