Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
Use of a Hanging-weight System for Liver Ischemia in Mice
Published on: August 7, 2012
Remimazolam protects the liver from ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting the MAPK/ERK pathway
Yanhua Shi1, Housheng Deng1, Zhiming Zhang1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Chenzhou First People's Hospital, No.102 Luojiajing, Beihu District, Chenzhou City, 423000, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major factor in liver damage following hepatic resection and liver transplantation, with anesthetics demonstrating the ability to shield organs from this type of injury.
Methods:
Hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) was used to create in vitro I/R hepatocyte cell injury models. The CCK-8 assay, flow cytometer, LDH assay, and ELSIA were utilized to assess hepatocyte injury. The in vivo I/R injury rat model was then built. HE and TUNEL staining were used to assess liver tissue damage. Western-blot was applied to assess the activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway.
Results:
Remimazolam (RMZL) remarkably improved cell viability and decreased apoptosis in H/R-induced hepatocyte injury. RMZL reduced the release of H/R-induced inflammatory mediators (TNF-α and IL-6) as well as LDH levels. We also discovered that RMZL inhibited p38 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in vivo and in vitro. The stimulation of MAPK/ERK, on the other hand, abolished RMZL's anti-inflammation effects in H/R-induced hepatocyte injury. Furthermore, RMZL reduced liver tissue injury in I/R rats.
Conclusion:
RMZL prevented hepatic I/R damage by inhibiting MAPK/ERK signaling.
