The aim of this study was to examine the effect of
intravenous immunoglobulin G (
IVIG) compared with that of
gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) in the inhibition of Kupffer cell activation on lipid peroxidation after severe total hepatic
ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Male Wistar rats ( n = 40) were randomly divided into four equal groups: a
sham-operation group, a control I/R group, and two I/R groups pretreated with either
IVIG or GdCl3 intravenously. Following 60 minutes of total hepatic
ischemia and 120 minutes of reperfusion, the rats were sacrificed and liver and blood samples collected. Additional animals ( n = 80) were followed up for survival rate determination. Results showed that I/R decreased the survival rate to 10%, increased the levels of
aspartate (AST) and
alanine (ALT)
transaminase and
lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum to 2487, 2189, and 4236 IU/L, respectively, and increased
malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in liver to 1.552 nmol/g compared with 1.114 nmol/g in the
sham operation group. Pretreatment with GdCl3 increased the survival rate to 50% and decreased the levels of AST, ALT, and LDH in serum to 1496, 1298, and 3245 IU/l, respectively. Pretreatment with
IVIG increased the survival rate to 60% and decreased the levels of AST, ALT, and LDH in serum to 449, 367, and 1456 IU/l, respectively, and the levels of MDA in liver to 1.153 and 1.148 nmol/g for GdCl3 and
IVIG respectively. Histologic examination showed protection of liver parenchyma in the animals treated with GdCl3 or
IVIG.