Peroxynitrite attenuates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury

In the present study, we examined the effects of peroxynitrite on reperfusion injury using a rat model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (HI/R). The left and median lobes of the liver were subjected to 30 min of ischemia, followed by 4 h of reperfusion. Groups A and B rats were sham-operated controls that received vehicle or peroxynitrite; groups C and D rats were subjected to HI/R and received peroxynitrite or vehicle, respectively. A dose of 2 μmol/kg body wt of peroxynitrite, diluted in saline (pH 9.0, 4°C), was administered as a bolus through a portal vein catheter at 0, 60, and 120 min after reperfusion. Results showed that superoxide generation in the ischemic lobes of the liver and plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity of group C were decreased by 43% and 45%, respectively, compared with group D. Leukocyte accumulations in the ischemic lobes of liver and circulating leukocytes were decreased by 40% and 27%, respectively, in group C vs. D. The ratios of mRNA of P-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA extracted from the ischemic lobes of the liver of group C were decreased compared with group D. There were no differences between the groups A and B in terms of plasma ALT activity, circulating leukocytes, superoxide generation, and leukocyte infiltration in the ischemic lobes of the liver. Moreover, hemodynamic parameters (i.e., mean arterial blood pressure, cardiac index, stroke index, and systemic vascular resistance) were not significantly different among groups B, C, and D. These results suggest that administration of peroxynitrite via the portal vein only has a local effect. Exogenous peroxynitrite at physiological concentrations attenuates leukocyte-endothelial interaction and reduces leukocyte infiltration. The mechanism of the reduction of leukocyte infiltration into ischemic lobes of the liver appears because of decreased expression of mRNA of P-selectin and ICAM-1. The net effect of administration of peroxynitrite may be to reduce adhesion molecule-mediated, leukocyte-dependent reperfusion injury.