PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ESCIN ON HEPATIC ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSION INJURY IN RATS

Introduction: Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common pathology that can occur during and after vascular surgeries and organ transplantation. Although multiple agents have been used to minimize this pathology, I/R injury remains a challenging problem. In this study, we investigated the effectivity of escin on hepatic I/R injury. Materials and methods: Hepatic I/R injury was determined in rats by the clamping of the hepatic artery and portal vein for 60 minutes, followed by 60-minute reperfusion. Escin 10 mg/kg (i.p.) was administered 30 minutes prior to ischemia and 30 minutes prior to reperfusion. Liver function tests were evaluated by the assessment of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, the radical oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated by the assessment of malondialdehyde (MDA), and the antioxidant activity was evaluated by the assessment of glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Samples of liver tissues were histopathologically evaluated. Results: The results revealed that serum AST, ALT, and LDH and the MDA levels were lower both in the pre-ischemia and pre-reperfusion escin groups. The CAT and SOD levels were higher in the pre-reperfusion escin group. Histopathologic injury was lower in the rats administered with escin. Discussion: In this study, it was demonstrated that escin provides useful outcomes since it reduces ROS formation when administered prior to ischemia and removes ROS when administered prior to reperfusion.