We investigated the protective effects of pentoxifylline and L-arginine, a precursor of nitric oxide, on 60 minutes normothermic liver ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats. Hepatic artery, vena porta and common bile duct were clamped at the level of hilus for 60 minutes with atraumatic microvascular clamp and followed by 2 hours of reperfusion. Liver tissue samples were removed for malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) determinations, and histopathological examination. Four groups of 10 rats each were constituted: Group 1: (Sham operated: No IR injury), Group 2: (Control: saline treatment), Group 3: (Pentoxifylline treatment) and Group 4: (L-arginine treatment).

There were significant increases in tissue MDA levels, more cellular damage and significant decrease in tissue GSH levels in control group, when compared with other groups (p<0.05). Our results demonstrated that pentoxifylline and L-arginine are able to protect the liver from normothermic ischemia and reperfusion injury.

Keywords:

LIVER ISCHEMIA, ISCHEMIA REPERFUSION INJURY, PENTOXIFYLLINE, NITRIC OXIDE, L-ARGININE