Effects of thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor on postischemic liver injury in rats

This study was designed to clarify the mechanism of a reversal of the ischemia-induced decrease in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in relation to the changes in liver blood flow. All vessels to the left and median lobes were occluded for 15 or 30 min and then reperfused for 15 or 30 min, respectively. Ischemia led to a significant decrease in the ATP level. ATP levels recovered fully after 30 min of reperfusion following 15 min of occlusion. However, a significantly low ATP level was observed even after 30 min of reperfusion following 30 min of occlusion. Premedication with CV-4151 (5 mg/kg, i.v.), a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthetase inhibitor, significantly improved the recovery of ATP levels after 30 min of reperfusion following 30 min of occlusion. Liver blood flow was restored fully immediately after reperfusion following 15 min of occlusion. In contrast a significantly low liver blood flow was observed after 30 min of reperfusion following 30 min of occlusion. Premedication with CV-4151 accelerated the recovery of liver blood flow after reperfusion. Morphological studies revealed that microthrombi were formed during ischemia, and CV-4151 mitigated the formation of microthrombi. These results indicate that the formation of microthrombi, which might be associated with TXA2 synthesis during ischemia, inhibited the restoration of liver blood flow, which might be responsible for the obstruction of the recovery of ATP.