Baicalin attenuates liver hypoxia/reoxygenation injury by inducing autophagy

The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of baicalin on liver hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury and the possible mechanism involved. A cellular H/R model was established and cells were treated with 50, 100 and 200 µmol/l baicalin. Following reoxygenation for 6 h, cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), caspase 3 and cleaved caspase 3 were assessed. Furthermore, levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers binding of immunoglobulin protein (BIP) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) and autophagy markers microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3) and beclin 1 were measured. To confirm the involvement of autophagy in baicalin-mediated attenuation of H/R injury, the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) was administered. The results revealed that baicalin administration increased cell viability and decreased LDH levels, most notably at a dosage of 100 µmol/l. Baicalin pretreatment also downregulated the expression of caspase 3, cleaved caspase 3 and Bax, while upregulating the expression of Bcl-2. Furthermore, BIP and CHOP were decreased while LC3 and beclin-1 were significantly increased by baicalin pretreatment. Inhibiting autophagy using 3-MA, resulted in a significant decrease in LC3-II, beclin-1 and LDH, as well as increase in the expression of BIP, CHOP, caspase 3, cleaved caspase 3 and Bax. Bcl-2 and cell viability were also decreased. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that baicalin exerts a protective effect on liver H/R injury and this may be achieved via the induction of autophagy.