Effects of Levosimendan on experimental hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury

Purpose: Vasoconstrictor and inotropic drugs are used for attenuate the hemodynamic effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Levosimendan is an inotropic and vasodilator drug. In experimental studies, levosimendan displayed antiapoptotic, antiinflammatory and antiischemic porperties and reduced serum TNF-? levels. We aimed to determine the role of levosimendan to prevent ischemia?reperfusion damage in experimental model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.Material and Method: Twenty-one male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups as Sham (group 1), underwent only laparatomy, ischemia?reperfusion (group 2), underwent 45 min total hepatic ischemia and 60 min reperfusion, and ischemia-reperfusion+levosimendan group (group 3) underwent ischemia-reperfusion as the same in group 2 but additionally levosimendan infusion was performed during ischemia period. The length of the experiment was the same in the groups. At the end of the experiment blood (for determine the serum serum aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels) and liver samples (for histopatologic scoring) were collected.Results: Levels of serum aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were significantly lower in the sham group compared to other groups but there was any difference between group 2 and 3. The histopatological score of liver injury was significantly lower in the sham group compared to the other groups and was also significantly lower in group 2 comparing group 3.Discussion: Present study showed that when hepatic histological scores are considered, levosimendan protects liver from ischemia-reperfusion injury. The effects and mechanisms of levosimendan in ischemia-reperfusion injury must be studied in clinical and experimental studies.Key words: Hepatic ischemia, reperfusion injury, levosimendan