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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Organ Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Simulating Hemodynamic Changes in Rat Liver Transplant Model
Published on: March 6, 2021
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy aggravates liver reperfusion injury in rats
Cristiano Xavier Lima1, Marcelo Dias Sanches, João Baptista de Rezende Neto
1Department of Physiology, School of Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. cxlima@globo.com
Purpose:
To evaluate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HO) therapy in the protection against liver ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Methods:
Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of eight animals each: group A - laparotomy and liver manipulation, group B - liver ischemia and reperfusion, group C - HO pretreatment for 60 min followed by liver ischemia and reperfusion, and group D - pretreatment with ambient air at 2.5 absolute atmospheres for 60 min followed by liver ischemia and reperfusion. Plasma was assayed for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Intra-arterial blood pressure was monitored continuously. Myeloperoxidase activity in the liver and lung was assessed 30 min after reperfusion.
Results:
Plasma AST, ALT and LDH increased after reperfusion in all animals. Plasma ALT values and myeloperoxidase activity in the liver parenchyma were higher in HO-pretreated animals than in groups A, B and D. HO had a negative hemodynamic effect during liver reperfusion.
Conclusion:
Liver preconditioning with hyperbaric oxygen therapy aggravated liver ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats as demonstrated by plasma ALT and liver myeloperoxidase activity.
