Breviscapine alleviates hepatic injury and inhibits PKC-mRNA and its protein expression in brain-dead BA-Ma mini pigs.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Brain-dead donors are the main sources for organ transplantation, but many studies show that brain-death affects the organ's function after transplantation. This study was undertaken to investigate liver injury after brain-death in BA-Ma mini pigs and the protective effects of breviscapine on hepatic function and on PKC-alpha mRNA and its protein expression.

METHODS:

Fifteen BA-Ma mini pigs were equally divided into 3 groups at random: brain-dead (group B), breviscapine pretreated (group P), and control (group C). The brain-dead model was established by increasing intracranial pressure in a modified, slow and intermittent way. At 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours after the initial brain-death, the levels of serum AST, ALT, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 were determined. The changes in hepatic tissues were assessed, and the expression of PKC-alpha and PKC-alpha mRNA was detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTS:

The levels of AST and ALT in groups B and P began to increase 12 hours after brain-death, while the values in group P were lower than those in group B (P<0.05). The levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha in groups B and P at 3, 6, 12 and 18 hours were lower than those in group B (P<0.05). At 6, 12 and 24 hours, the expressions of PKC-alpha mRNA and PKC-alpha protein in group P were lower than those in group B (P<0.05). The degree of injury to hepatic cells in group P was milder than that in group B.

CONCLUSIONS:

Breviscapine inhibits the degree of PKC-alpha mRNA transcription and its protein translation, decreases the release of inflammatory factors, and thus alleviates hepatic injury during brain-death.

• Authors: Shui-Jun Zhang, Yan Song, Wen-Long Zhai, Ji-Hua Shi, Liu-Shun Feng, Yong-Fu Zhao, Shi Chen
• Journal: Hepatobiliary & pancreatic diseases international : HBPD INT (Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int) Vol. 6 Issue 6 Pg. 604-9 (Dec 2007) ISSN: 1499-3872 [Print] Singapore
• PMID: 18086626 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Flavonoids
• Interleukin-6
• RNA, Messenger
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• breviscapine
• Aspartate Aminotransferases
• Alanine Transaminase
• Protein Kinase C

Topics

• Alanine Transaminase (blood)
• Animals
• Aspartate Aminotransferases (blood)
• Brain Death (metabolism)
• Flavonoids (pharmacology)
• Interleukin-6 (blood)
• Liver (drug effects, pathology)
• Protein Kinase C (analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, genetics)
• RNA, Messenger (analysis)
• Swine
• Swine, Miniature
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (blood)