The Effects of Hypericum perforatum on Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI) which damages metabolically active tissues is associated with a high morbidity and mortality in both surgical and trauma patients. This process is of importance in situations such as interruption of blood flow to the liver as in transplantation, or resection of it. It can also occur as a consequence of collapse of systemic circulation as in hypovolemic and septic shock situations. A variety of agents such as superoxide dismutase, melatonin, allopurynol, ?-tocopherol, N-acetyl cystein, glutathione and desferoxamine, which are known as having antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties have been used to prevent or to minimize the liver damage after ischemia-reperfusion injury. We also investigated the effects of the crude extract of Hypericum perforatum including some compounds with antioxidant and antiinflammatory features on ischemia-reperfusion injury of the liverIn our study, a total of 62 wistar-albino male rats weighing from 200 to 275 g were used. The animals were divided into four groups. First group(Sham, n: 8) given Standard laboratory chow followed by sham operation(minimal portal dissection); Second group(IR, n: 18) given standart laboratory chow followed by partially liver ischemia(70%) for 45 minutes; Third group(CMC+IR, n: 18) given 0,5% carboxymethyl cellulose for a week followed by IR just like the second group; Fourth group(CMC+HP+IR, n: 18) given 0,5% carboxymethyl cellulose supplemental the extract of Hypericum perforatum(400mg/kg/d) for a week followed by IR. Blood samples were obtained from the last three group animals before ischemia and 1, 2 and 4 hours after reperfusion, otherwise, one time from the Sham group animals. In addition, liver tissue sampling was also performed similarly. When aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-?), interleukin-6(IL-6), malondialdehyde(MDA) and advanced oxidation protein products(AOPP) levels were determined in blood samples; MDA, AOPP and tissue damage grades and number of polymorphonuclear leucocyte(PNL) adherent to sinusoidal endothelial cells(SEC) in the per target field were studiedBlood levels of ALT, TNF-?, IL-6 and MDA were significantly low in HP group compared with IR and CMC groups. No difference existed between IR and CMC groups. Similarly, there was no difference between IR and CMC groups with respect to liver injury scores and number of PNL adherent to SEC in the per target field. The results were significantly low in HP group compared with IR and CMC groups, respectivelyThese results indicate that H. perforatum having antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties can protect the liver against IRI. However, no significant difference between IR and HP groups with respect to blood AST levels, and similarly, among IR, CMC and HP groups for blood LDH levels is unclear. In conclusion further studies need to be carried out to exactly explain the effect of H. perforatum on hepatic IRI.