Protective effects of icariin in experimental liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats investigation of the effect

RZA, K. Investigation of the protective effect of icariin in experimental liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Eskisehir Osmangazi Unveristesi Tıp Fakültesi Genel Cerrahi Anabilim Dalı Tıpta Uzmanlık Tezi, Eskisehir,2025. Liver ischemia-reperfusion injury is inevitable in liver transplantations and different treatment methods are currently being investigated to reduce the damage. In our study, we investigated the protective effect of Icariin by creating ischemia-reperfusion injury in the liver. The protective effect of Icariin in ischemia-reperfusion injury has been shown in many studies in different tissues other than the liver. In the experimental model, 32 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 (sham) rats were sacrificed by laparotomy and blood and liver samples were taken. After laparotomy, the portal vein and hepatic artery were ligated and ischemia was induced in the liver for 30 minutes and after 1 hour of reperfusion, liver tissue and blood samples were collected and sacrificed. Groups 3 and 4 were fed icariin extract at a dose of 30 mg/kg by gavage for 1 week, then laparotomy was performed, portal vein and hepatic artery were ligated and ischemia was induced in the liver for 30 min. After 1 h of reperfusion, liver tissue and blood samples were collected and sacrificed. AST, ALT and LDH levels were measured in blood samples. TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6 and MDA levels were determined by ELISA method in liver tissue samples and histopathologic changes were examined under light microscope. In conclusion, significant decreases in AST-ALT, TNF-α, IL-1 β and MDA levels in Icariin-treated rats compared to untreated I/R model rats indicate that Icariin treatment reduces liver damage and inflammation. At the same time, the decrease in necrotic cell ratio, karyolysis, vascular congestion and cellular infiltration rate in treated rats suggests that Icariin can be used in the treatment of Liver Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by reducing inflammation. However, further studies are needed for the use of Icariin in clinical practice. Key Words: Liver Ischemia Reperfusion, Icariin Supporting Institution: ESOGU Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit