How important is the damage to the liver after lower limb ischemia-reperfusion? An experimental study in a rat model

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of lowerextremity ischemia reperfusion on the liver and the effect of ischemiareperfusionon the liver itself in a rat model.Methods: Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided intothree groups including 10 in each group: sham (Group 1), lower limbischemia-reperfusion (Group 2), and liver ischemia-reperfusion (Group 3).In Group 2, one hour of left lower limb ischemia was performed. InGroup 3, one hour of ischemia in the liver was performed, followed by24 hours of reperfusion. After reperfusion, the liver tissues were removed,and the groups were evaluated biochemically and histologically.Results: The liver malondialdehyde levels were significantly higherin Groups 2 and 3 than in the sham group (p<0.001). In Group 2, themalondialdehyde levels were significantly higher than in Group 3(p=0.019). The glutathione levels in the liver were significantly lowerin Groups 2 and 3 than in the sham group (p<0.001). However, theglutathione levels were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 3(p=0.005). In the histological evaluation, although the liver damage scorewas higher in Group 3 than in Group 2 (p=0.015), there was no significantdifference between the two groups in TUNEL(+) cell number (p>0.05).Conclusion: Reperfusion injury in the liver after lower limb ischemiareperfusionis as important as ischemia-reperfusion injury which isspecifically induced in the liver. This should be taken into account,particularly in reperfusion surgeries following vascular trauma or incases of leg tourniquets to stop bleeding after lower limb vasculartrauma.